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Mercyful god SO MANY GAMES.

Shinaz Top Ten

1. Deus Ex (2000) by Ion Storm Inc., Eidos, Square Enix

2. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl (2007) by GSC Game World

3. Fallout: New Vegas (2010) by Obsidian Entertainment

4. Unreal Tornament (1999) by Epic Games

5. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 (2000) by Westwood Pacific

6. DooM II: Hell on Earth (1994) by id Software

7. Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden (2008) by Tales of Game's Studios

8. Noitu Love 2: Devolution (2008) by Konjak

9. Cave Story (2004) by Studio Pixel

10. Imperishable Night (2004) by Team Shanghai Alice

5 Days A Stranger

5 Days A Stranger

By: Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw

Year: 2003

Genre: Freeware, Point and Click

Length: 3 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




6 Days A Sacrifice

6 Days A Sacrifice

By: Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw

Year: 2005

Genre: Freeware, Point and Click

Length: 4 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





7 Days a Skeptic

7 Days a Skeptic

By: Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw

Year: 2004

Genre: Freeware, Point and Click

Length: 3 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





8bit killer

8bit killer

By: Locomalito

Year: 2008

Genre: Freeware, FPS

Length: 1 hour

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Obviously a indie freeware game which is heavily influenced by 80's media such as NES games, early first person shooters for DOS and post-apocalyptic movies. The plot is cheesy on purpose it adds BOTH the fact that you live in a post-apocalyptic land and ADDS Aliens to the mix...Even though the alien force in the game all look like generic post-apocalypic barbarians directly ripped from Mad Max. It's about a team of GOOD HUMANS trying to kill an alien brain which wants to do something bad in the year 2488. Controlls and animation is pretty smooth, a bit TOO smooth considering it's trying to imitate old first person shooters the smooth controls so why not all and all make a game not tributing worse controls if you’re gonn add slippery new ones? There is this really strange thing that happens when you shoot a gun inside the game, you feel a delay when you fire, you can't see the bullet slowly hitting its enemy or THE WALL in some cases but you can like feel the speed of this invisible bullet in a way. Again somewhat adding modern gameplay (and dare I say realistic) into something trying to be oldschool. You have a choice of 6 guns to choose from, in which you can find them during levels, you can select your gun by pressing space and moving your cursor (that IS ODD for a game which tries to be retro) which is a interesting way to select your gun instead of the normal press a number on your keyboard and gun will appear. There are some strange things that happen during the game such as either you getting stuck in a labyrinth of a map or simply getting bored of the game.

Truly, if the idea of FPS existed in the NES era I don’t really think it would be like this, but all and all it is a free game and other than being somewhat repetitive in some cases you can play it when you are bored or something.

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5




A Crow in Hell 2

A Crow in Hell 2

By: PopBrain

Year: 2009

Genre: Flash

Length: 30 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger One of those flash games on newgrounds which are the type of which you are surrounded by death, one simple thing kills you, you control a crow… In hell... And I’m going to be honest, For a 2 in its name it doesn’t have that much of a sequel characteristic, but then again what can you add to the concept of being a crow inside these closed underground places, its music is that agnsty newgrounds droned out slow piano you see in point and click horror flashes on newgrounds. You know for some funny reasons most of these newgrounds games remind me quite allot of why many games for the NES where considered bad to have this type of unfair difficulty, but of course in the flash realm of games it is considered very typical! Why do I insist in trying to find quality in flash games I played in the past of newgrounds I will never know! Well, atleast the game has some neat bird animation.

Shinaz Star Rating 2 out of 5





A Game With A Kitty 2: Darkside Adventures

A Game With A Kitty 2

By: Bernie

Year: 2006

Genre: Freeware, Platformer, Metroidvania

Length: 4 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

A Game With A Kitty 2 (hardly with any kitty at all) is instead of a game where you control the kitty you see in the first seconds is actually a game you play as a really masculine blue person, the gameplay is really similar to Super Mario Bros 2 with the fact that you jump and grab stuff. In game has a number of variations of enemies that can simply be jumped on or killed in other manners but the main point of the game is mostly puzzles, vaguely in the type of puzzles that Kirby games does, in which you gotta grab a item that will complete a puzzle in some other location.

Some secrets that require you to 100% the game are a bit more impossible than others, out though they are not impossible in terms of thought but impossible in terms of courage, as a example there is a secret in a place you can instantly die, but if you stay there or accidently jump on it before entering the location you will find a key of some sort to complete the puzzle to get a diamond! The sound effects of the game are a bit minimalistic (yet really satisfying and what makes me remind myself of this game is the popping sound that happens when something explodes), the slow and dream like music shows this quite allot but sometimes can be really catchy and hyper beat, It just feels sometimes that it’s the type of music that belongs to a RPG rather than a game with platforming, it DOES go really well with the style of the game quite allot though. The midi instruments kind of make it really interesting.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

This game ends up being a game with somewhat of a really simple sense of humor with a great color scheme and in general is a nice and fulfilling platformer. 

AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!!: A Reckless Disregard for Gravity

AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! A Reckless Disregard for Gravity

{C}By: Dejobaan Games

Year: 2009

Genre: FPF (First Person Falling), Sport

Length: 4 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Action Fist

Action Fist

By: Teknoopants

Year: 2010

Genre: Freeware, Platformer, Run and Gun

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Afraid of Monsters - Director's Cut

Afraid of Monsters - Director's Cut

By: Team Psykskallar

Year: 2007

Genre: FPS, Mod, Survival Horror

Length: 6 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Ainevoltas 2

Ainevoltas 2

By: Alastrair John Jack

Year: 2008

Genre: Freeware, Platformer, RPG

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Air Rivals

Air Rivals

By: MasangSoft Inc.

Year: 2006

Genre: MMORPG, Shooter, Simulator

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+

Also known as Ace Online in america.








Akuji The Demon

Akuji the Demon

By: E. Hashimoto

Year: 2002

Genre: Freeware, Platformer, Metroidvania

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Alien Swarm

Alien Swarm

By: Valve Corporation

Year: 2010

Genre: Freeware, Isometric Shooter

Length: 3 to 5 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger





Aliens Vs Predator 2

Aliens Vs Predator 2

By: Monolith Productions

Year: 2001

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Alien Shooter: Vengeance

Alien Shooter Vengeance

By: Sigma Team

Year: 2007

Genre: Isometric Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Altitude

Altitude

By: Nimbly Games, LLC.

Year: 2008

Genre: MMORPG, 

Length: 1 hour or Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Oh this is pretty cute. This is a very cute game about airplanes. There are leveling up systems, nice air mechanics, nice rules with engine starting and what not. It is just a very simple game and it is tons of fun. There are lots of perks and lots of game modes including base defense, soccer, and general deathmatches! It is completely in 2D and more or less highly based on the weight of your plane and how much you control it, as you level up you'll get more cute planes with different weapon styles that you can test out in mass multiplayer games that are fun to the least to play with others, there's not even music to speak of but a fair share of memorable sound effects that are good enough for such a silent game. One thing I’ve noticed is that you win by doing a summersault almost every single time, constantly dropping bullets while avoiding the problem is a common strategy in the game. I played it when I noticed it was one of the very few freeware MMORPG games available on Steam and for the time being it was pretty ok to waste my time on it as it controlled very well and is just basic fun with all of its sport-like games with little planes. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

The physics engine is just perfect for the little planes and the animation of them turning around in very bright looking maps is enough to get people to enjoy this game as simple and lightweighted through the skies as it is. 

Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Amenesia The Dark Descent

By: Frictional Games

Year: 2010

Genre: Survival Horror

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





An Untitled Story

An Untitled Story

By: YMM

Year: 2007

Genre: Freeware, Metroidvania

Length: 3 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

You wake up as a egg in a nest on a big tree, there isn't that much to explain or to be had in terms of story you just explore the world and get power ups to explore the world some more... Yup nothing complex or interesting about it! As you can see in the first minutes of the game you notice the entire game was made in MS Paint, but atleast it was made well done in mspaint, shadowing is fine, lots of unique paterns you get the idea. Like i said in the begging of this review, you pretty much explore finding these blue orbs that give you powerups such as "Jump higher" or "Double Jump". There are bosses that are pretty much the MAKE A MOVE BE UNVUNRABLE type, about every boss has this patern and by the point you fight a boss you would have so many heart upgrades it wouldn't be that hard even if you took all the hits! Some locations are only possible to exit by commiting suicide (which is hard considering how many health you have) and if the stuck locations don't stop you the glitches will! While playing this game i got allot of glitches while getting stuck in walls and while jumping and no matter how much i tried to duck, jump or shoot i couldn't get off! Another glitch problem is the sound! Which i need to talk about, the music in this game isn't really what you call good video game music, it's mostly someone randomly smashing a midi-music program and hoping it comes out as a nice beat, It does give some atsmophere in terms of how bad it is but it simply isn't good, catchy or memorable at all! Now imagine this horrible MIDI music GLITCHING? Sounds horrible right? Well it will happen and it won't stop for nothing, the whole game the audio will break and constantly be as if someone beaten up a stereo to death.

This game just feels like a 30 minute done game and really isn't that rewarding or fun for the matter, the name of the game shows enough how the creator cared about this, it really is a untitled story.

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5

Ana Somnia

Ana Somnia

By: Kim Koster

Year: 2010

Genre: Non-Theory, Flash

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






And Yet It Moves

And Yet It Moves

By: Broken Rules

Year: 2009

Genre: Platformer, Puzzle

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Ancient Ants Adventure

Ancient Ants Adventure

By: Red System Team

Year: 2008

Genre: Freeware, Isometric Shooter, RTS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger







Arc Aether Anomalies

Arc Aether Anomalies

By: J. Kyle Pittman

Year: 2008

Genre: Arcade, FPS, Freeware

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Area 51

Area 51

By: Midway Games

Year: 2005

Genre: FPS, Freeware

Length: 10 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

I and this game go back! Used to be one of my first FPS games and it used to scare a hell lot as a kid! When I received the news that it was free on PC nowadays I just had to get myself a copy of this. The game's concept is pretty typical, a alien research has gone wrong and you and your unit of 3 people are send in to investigate, sadly the time you get there it's already a war with humans being infected with a alien virus and turning into monsters and by the end you will be all alone trying to solve your primary mission. Most of the plot inside the game is explained in first person by the main character you are playing, and usually happen between levels or cutscenes not interrupting the gameplay at all. Gameplay is pretty simple yet with some different touches here and there for a FPS, shooting enemies may take allot of bullets to actually kill them, you can DUAL WEAPONS about almost every weapon such as rifle guns or shotguns... Oh yeah, you heard me! DUAL SHOTGUNS. The whole dual thing is pretty awesome but it’s a pity that after you waste all your ammo with them you don't really reload both guns you just throw the other gun away and reload your single gun, but you will constantly find guns laying around the floor most of the time so you can activate your DUAL WEAPON mode again. There is mostly a arrow in the game that helps you which location you should go next and helps allot in the game of not making you stuck (even though the game could be said to be pretty linear), the scanner is a pretty COOL looking item you get in the first minutes of gameplay, and pretty much about EVERYTHING can be scanned in the game for extra data, plus I simply do love the animation your scanner does when it scans something or appears in the bottom. Jumping may feel like you’re on the moon and in this game I feel that it’s pretty easy to die, you can get clustered by monsters easily, one simple attack may take half of your health and when it’s really hard to find something that will heal you (later on in the game you can easily find health in corners or in the end of abandoned random halls), you simply go in panic considering 1 hit and you’re DEAD! The game would be a bit easier if there was a bigger option in terms of saving, there is no quick save or manual saving there is only checkpoints and that’s ok in my book considering it fuels the difficulty but the fact that I don’t even have the option to save kind of disappoints me. I don’t want to real spoil but considering this is THAT much of a deal in terms of gameplay I will tell it anyways, later on in the game you are infected by the alien virus and after going through the mutant tutorial you have the option to manually choose between human or mutant any time you want! The mutant can send in homing missions and give strong melee attacks; it is a great idea to change into him when you are weak because the mutant is pretty strong. The mutant has its own power bar that you can gain after waiting or melee attacking other infected while in mutant mode, once the power bar is fully finished you will become a human again. Most of the battles in this game are usually “take position and defend your guard” types with endless swarms of aliens keep spawning and you keep shooting them until it’s all REALLY over, other battles are LONG corridors and many enemies holding their post and you putting your head out to try and shoot someone in that LONG corridor. Some might think the battles in this game are repetitive, I on the other hand think they’re quite fun and simple and usually give you a warning that you can’t keep screwing around without taking a action to progress in your game. Now to the horror part of this game, this game used to scare me allot as a kid but not now, the scares are your typical cheap scares where a alien jumps out of a door and says OOGA BOOGA and you’re like BWAUUUGHHH! But other than that you have to simply love the way how the mutants introduce themselves in the first minutes of the game, the way a human transforms into a mutant in a cutscene always will be a gruesome scene in my memory!

Area 51 is just simply a great memorable first person shooter, full of horrifying sci-fi alien stuff as the atmosphere with allot of green glowing here and there with fun and unique gameplay styles yet with a hard difficulty that makes you more aware of what going on. Some platforming in the game are a bit DIFFICULT to pull off considering it's almost inpossible of 1 inch of a pixel and if you don't get it right, you instantly die. The game is now free so it’s totally worth the try.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

Arthur's Birthday

Arthur's Birthday

By: The Learning Companny

Year: 1994

Genre: Point and Click

Length: 1 hour

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Atom Zombie Smasher

Atom Zombie Smasher

By: Blendo Games

Year: 2011

Genre: RTS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Audiosurf

Audiosurf

By: Dylan Fiterer

Year: 2008

Genre: Puzzle, Rhythm

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger


Bad Mojo

Bad Mojo
Art

By: Pulse Entertainment

Year: 1996

Genre: Simulator

Length: 5 to 6 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Acting is laughably extreme right in front so you’ll realize that this is in fact... an FMV game, but a very interesting FMV game, it's not the point and click style to begin with, it is adventure game from an up view perspective.... Where you control a cockroach... Hm... Yes but it doesn’t stop being interesting there! The game pushes the limits of what a computer can run on its limited system this game was made for, it showcases numerous colors, has a wild variation of actual use of dead animal corpses. Yuck! Oh well, it's for art. But yeah, it would be difficult to make everything cgi, so the only answer was actual photographs on a greenscreen. The backgrounds are very interesting because of this; the blend of styles is great. Anyways going to the point, you are a cockroach, and you gotta do anything by simply pushing stuff to proceed. 

There is plot but the plot is very minimal and simple but very strong and filled with impact, of course it’s mostly based on irony considering it’s hinted that the person seemingly would plan the extinction of cockroaches and becomes one.  The setting and plot in general isn't typical and indeed during the time it was made it's incredibly ahead of its time. It is very special actually even if it is wacky for some nowadays but it’s done with heart and it’s actually very well structured to the end and the moral is very fulfilling. 


Being a cockroach only lets you do so much, to solve some puzzles, you must push, yes you must! Most hints within the game come when you land on these symbols.  You’ll get a riddle that rhymes but is basically pretty simple. (Ok, i'll stop rhyming) Of course nothing is that impossible for a cockroach to solve, things such as, saving a baby rockroach, killing a huge rat by simply pushing something off edge and managing to change a lot of big stuff especially within the world where you have literally turned into a cockroach. Most stuff is completely based on fate it seems especially if you know the plot to begin with.

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5

Well it isn’t called good mojo.  Let alone the best mojo.  As much as you would want to consider it a bad game that’s pretty bland and is just live your life as a cockroach (yet with strong artistic merits!) to solve puzzles it is kind of what the game would promise someone from the start. A cockroach simulator! And for that it’s amazing, let alone it lets you really feel like a cockroach within this grimy detailed place. It’s pretty short and the moral in the end (IF you do get the ending right) is pretty heartwarming! Not to mention the redux comes with a documentary showing how much effort went into the making of the game and you can see how quirky and emotional the people who made this game were like during development. It's a very unique and interesting experience in the end out though short, you may get stuck in some puzzles but it’s truly a product with soul. Of course, that soul might rebirth into an actual cockroach.

Bad Rats: the Rats' Revenge

Bad Rats

By: Dylan Fiterer

Year: 2009

Genre: Puzzle

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger Buy this game if you know what's good for you, this is literally the best game on the entire market you get to control these BAD (also rad) RATS that you use to kill a cat and make a bloody mess, you use them in like that form of when pewee do the thing when he has breakfast but this is not breakfast this is the murder of a cat yes cool good please buy this game it is the best game there are no alternatives in the world, I recommend  you give this to all of your friends and everyone you know has to see atleast once in their life a suicide bomber mouse. 

  

Shinaz Star Rating 0 out of 5



     

Balloon Diaspora

Balloon Diaspora

By: Cardboard Computer

Year: 2011

Genre:  Point And Click

Length: 1 hour

Art

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

A game with little to no content to comment about, a game curled up by Cardboard Computer, a regular short clicking game where you are trying to repair your balloon, to repair it you need to find pieces of cloth, you chat with various characters all with their own cases you have to crack, all the creatures in this game have a name that is simply a letter like C. I really like the creations of this game with its cool design with cubes, it is hard to confirm if the creator was crazy or just plain lazy but thew ending result are nice locations, it’s atleast more creative than the typical cubical cocky chip like animations. The reason I am so critical of this game is mostly because there is no needs for clues! You could simply cheat by clicking random choices like a cat. The soundtrack is really calming but I wouldn’t really consider it catchy considering it is just like a horse clopping on a crappy piano and craving for the hopes of it sounding like something creepy or feeling like your inside a cave.

Shinaz Star Rating 2 out of 5

This game is not really what I consider a complete game and shouldn’t really be compared to other cheerful games, maybe I can’t comprehend it or maybe it’s just that it only consists of simple concepts with barely any color. But considering how CHEAP I am atleast it's free.



  


Battle Engine Aquila

Battle Engine Aquila

By: Lost Toys

Year: 2003

Genre:  FPS, Mecha, Sim

Length: 6 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

The story revolves around… Well I guess the good blues and the evil reds are at war and is filled with “potentially memorable characters” I say that because these are characters that even if rushed into a game as fast as possible to simply become the main character do still have more personality and soul than a lot of other characters that don’t have introduction at all (ah the low standards of gaming), either way the main character is a random orange suited punk who was racing and was found to be a good pilot to test out the new mecha they have which could save them in the upcoming war.  The fictional wars within this video game are never really fleshed out but it’s enough plot to sustain a game that simply most of the time just a very fun mecha simulator. 

It’s hard to know what is going around you especially with the awful design of sound, but levels are wonderful looking and filled with amazing draw distance and many particles and enemies on the screen on the other hand. Either way, if you get hit too much you can simply go to a repair pod that most levels have for you at your base. Most missions are based on defending your base and this is basically a multi-tasking fps tower defense game in the end where you fly or jump around protecting the base.

IT is a very low budget game as seen from the CGI and very forgettable soundtrack that is just a sequence of fake orchestra after fake orchestra with a lot of flute and honking thrown in, the game still manages to bring a lot of high definition quality such as draw distance, decent combat and much more. BUT, it’s visuals of the game are pretty impressive sometimes, especially with the blend of contrasted colors and the general theme of Blue.


Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5

The game could be considered a poor man’s something-of-similarity; it could be a PC gamer’s Star fox that is only the open world missions or more similarly a star wars rogue squadron.  But really for what it is, it is temporarily fun, could have been made in a higher pace honestly to be a bit more decent and the game could have been more impactful as it feels a bit easy to just destroy stuff. The branching missions are a nice concept though. 

Battlefield 1942

Battlefield 1942

By: Digital Illusions

Year: 2002

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+





Banana Nababa

Banana Nababa

By: Lazrael

Year: 2007

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger







Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden

Barkley, Shut Up and Jam Gaiden

By: Tale of Game's Studios

Year: 2008

Genre: Freeware, RPG

Length: 10 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Bastion

Bastion

By: Supergiant Games

Year: 2011

Genre: Isometric Shooter, RPG

Length: 5 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

First of all, this game is too serious for its own good. IF you even heard of Bastion you would know it is soley famous on the fact that it’s artistic gimmick (Outside of the MMORPG Korean artstyle) is the fact that a very maybe talented voice is narrating all of your actions (I say maybe because I can’t really take the voice seriously in a game looking like this). With that voice you expect Bastion to be a very DEEP experience, I’ll save you some time and spoil it right away for you that I normally don’t spoil, is that the game doesn’t have a twist ending, it might seem like it’s going to have a twist ending, especially considering the game pseudo-hints you’re a bad guy around the middle of the game? But it’s all bullshit. Allot of things are implied but the plot in general doesn’t change, in fact it’s just as simple as it was in the beginning by the end. The emotional moments of the game seem quite forced. Much like the huskiness of the voice NARRATING EVERYTHING MAKING EVERYTHING BIGGER THAN IT ALREADY IS, but I guess the little touches are ok and cute.   All levels seem not fun and all the same as the slow mechanics don’t help such as walking, even later on in the game with the upgrades of overpowered weapons ad different gunplay styles it still feels the same. These along with the RPG elements where the only hope of making the variety cool in this game. You also have a choice by the end to continue playing and grinding yet I think there would hardly be anyone who would want to go through the same annoying slow levels again.

The soundtrack is definitely overrated. Cheesy also at that, there’s something about the instruments that strike me as overused in games with this particular style, not only that is that it doesn’t feel special, it feels like something put in a mediocre MMORPG like free-to-use music . I’ve been comparing this allot to a MMORPG haven’t I? At least most MMORPG has content going for it (not that it changes its quality that much).

Bastion’s only thing going for it is it’s superficial artistic matter, which even feels like a parody of games trying too hard to feel special, the gameplay is really slow and possibly it’s out there for me as one of the worst isometric shooters in a while due to the fact of how BORING it is.


Shinaz Star Rating 2 out of 5




Beat Hazard

Beat Hazzard

By: Cold Beam Games

Year: 2010

Genre: Rhythm, Shoot 'Em Up

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Bionic Commando Rearmed

Bionic Commando Rearmed

By: Capcom

Year: 2008

Genre: Platformer, Run And Gun

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger



BioShock

BioShock

By: 2K Games

Year: 2007

Genre: FPS, RPG

Length: 18 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Art
Note
Eye

A man chooses, a slave obeys... For the time this was released It was considered a huge hit, people where quoting the game here and there saying it to have amazing dialog, cool design and various other praises I think it’s a nice addition to the games I quite enjoyed, of course many people are elitist when criticizing this game about this series in general considering  it’s being made by one of the same creators of a pc game classic System Shock 2, BioShock, as the same have the SAME SHOCK and is made by the same people is more or less considered by many a spiritual sequel of the game. Course I Do feel as if the game is being made by a wider audience considering it is more linear and has less rpg elements, which is really weird to be the exact sometimes inside the game you will explore things to check for items and there will be slots, normally I would put these inside a menu I can open where I could use the items I found later on and just be disappointed that this game has NO MENUS, it’s just a regular FPS of some sorts, the RPG elements are nonexistent and just for show, but that doesn’t make it a bad game! Just makes the RPG elements fake… Well enough with the whole inferiority complex behind it and let’s talk more about the stuff it’s praised for, the style obviously would be one of them, the game is based on the books of Ayn Rand and design from most retro futuristic visions from the 40s. The is really beautiful, especially the introductions, sometimes I feel as if the immersion could have been a bit better here and there with some moments but in the end it’s all good, corridors are colorful, locations are very variable in terms of theme and the tapes you find of people who once where alive are found around the locations for some back up on the plot. The plot is that a man named Andrew Ryan decides to create this place to run from what he considers weak in how other places live, and makes he’s own place with its own political rules, the result is not good as it ends up that you, when you hit a plane upon finding this place has met Rapture, that is destroyed city underwater and has no hope what so ever, and mostly shows this mistake of what could have been a society. Characters are really charming, each have a funny accent of course going with the rule of silly 40s stereotypes but all of the characters have a really good personality, some people consider it hard to see characters with good personality inside games like this one and I somewhat agree, the characters Inside this game is usually more well written then some others.  Combat could be described as very varied, there are allot of combinations to make during the game and you could end up killing enemies in a number of different ways, depending on the traits you could choose that you can gain something by doing such tasks, a really out of nowhere camera RPG system that when you take photos of enemies you have a chance of finding a weakness in them, and you could always hack a computer with this mini-game that as you play the game gets harder to have a friendly sentry to help you kill people. Usually, I don’t need all of the best weapons or upgrades when I’m fighting a simple enemy but there are enemies called “Big Daddies” usually crucial to the side-plot of saving little girls (little girls go with big daddies) which are these simply huge enemies that basically kill you in 2 hits and are sometimes really unfair, they are the main reason on why to use powerful weapons inside the game. I’m not entirely sure on how much I could enthusiast on how interesting it is to explore this game, it’s just so mysterious, creepy and atmospheric, you find so much interesting plot and locations, filled with interesting designs, many of the psychopaths around Rapture seem as if they surround a theme of someone professional becoming an insane artist, or crazy with power with the super powers inside Rapture. The ending is kind of obvious due to the fact that its obvious what’s considered morally accepted inside the game and what’s not so it’s an easily bland bad or good ending option, somewhat spoilers but the ending is simply a 1 minute cutscene so I don’t think you should consider it that heavily. Very nice sound in general, voice acting like I said is amazingly well done, but sound is where I think the game excels more, the quality is really good and adds to the soggy and watery feeling of Rapture, the music is worth to comment on more, it has these various horror movie strings from a violin thing going on from here and there.

BioShock ends up being a really variational, fun game with great writing and overall a great atsmophere, there are many reasons why BioShock is considered a masterpiece by many and it’s pretty neutral on my DEEP VIDEO GAME receptor so I recommend a little swim.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

  

Bioshock Infinite Editor's Choice

BioShock Infinite

By: 2K Games

Year: 2013

Genre: FPS

Length: 12 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Art
Tear
Note
Eye
Heart

Bring Us the Girl Wipe Away the Debt. Possibly one of the most obnoxiously artistic games I've ever played (in a good annoying way), just in terms of everything really, the presentation, the exciting and fast gameplay that mixes both modern first person shooter design rules mixed with old design rules such as velocity like unreal games (which this game is based on the engine kind of explains it), the wacky original plot, designs and effort that was simply put inside this game amazes me in a way a Disney movie does everytime. I notice something new inside this game, maybe it is the fact that is a very cool looking artistic game for the mainstream. Everything inside Bioshock Infinite is put with delicacy of that of a simple apple and mostly has an typical meaning behind it. It is labeled as “ONE OF THOSE” games from the way I’m telling you this. The plot is ONE OF THOSE ones with a very great twist. I have to say, everything of news related to this game so far has been completely exterminated in terms of actuality inside the video game, and I think this was done for a reason, no one really expected what could have been the game when all of the gameplay and trailers are just completely non-related to what actually happens to the game, in fact Bioshock Infinite is said to have been scrapped many times to the point of being able to make 7 games with that scrapped content. Not even expected what could have been Bioshock Infinite because my expectations where mostly low due to seeing Bioshock Infinite being more of a point A to point B shooter driven by simply cutscenes, a rail shooter… With actual rails! What I got was basically some really interesting level design where you have many ways to approach someone and spice combat up a bit, a thing about Bioshock Infinite in combat many complain about is that it has gone to the modern rule of only being able to hold 2 guns once, that and other various rules that made the game more basic, but i'm fine with that there is a really nice feel to it of simplicity, more guns should be made to make atleast the concept of having 2 guns at once exciting, one of the things they scrapped was weapons so they could of atleast of added me you can upgrade your weapons with money for every single weapon you can use! The combat ends up being really fun and fast paced, not exactly like Bioshock but pretty good never the less. Like I said I don’t want to spoil that much in terms of plot or concept… Or basically anything, but I can guarantee you, it does justice to the first Bioshock, trust me, something really doubtful from all the stuff we were getting news about it. For example a similarity is the themes, they are still outrageously typical and dumb with only a reference to it, rather than commenting on it. (and when Bioshock comments politically it’s usually pretty dumb opinion like it’s evil to be evil to those who are evil! Which is kid logic) inside the game are really edgy strong and some dirty stuff to look at! This game truly wants to shock you with both its beauty and its taste to randomly put offensive manners at most points. I guess this was breaking boundaries in a way? But to talk about the typical concepts and what not will spoil the people who could fully experience this game, other than the themes and general plot the… Visuals… Yes. VISUALS.. The entire game from start to finish is an amazing experience full of EXTREME AMOUNTS OF DETAIL. The music in this game is SPECTACULAR, it’s really emotional and made me cry, the game basically the closest thing we will have to an interactive musical, this kind of goes in both ways, the music changes it’s pace depending with what happens inside the game (Not with actions though, these are scripted, unlike Pikmin) and there are actually A LOT of singing inside this game which warms my heart yet keeps me annoyed some other times. Last I should note that the main character is obviously the primmest example of victim of circumstance.  And the plot may or may not be the result of a random joke plot generator done SERIOUSLY.

What could have been or not been of Bioshock Infinite doesn’t really matter anymore, because now that it’s actually out it’s a really REALLY decent game (no complex thoughts needed please) and Bioshock Infinite ends up being shocking in INFINITE ways!! Totally recommended if you need something fresh, interesting, shocking yet wacky and silly. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

  

Blade Kitten

Blade Kitten

By: Krome Studios

Year: 2010

Genre: Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Blip & Blop: Balls of Steel

Blip & Blop Balls of Steel

By: LOADED Studio

Year: 2002

Genre: Freeware, Platformer, Run and Gun

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger


{C}Site, final fantasy fanboy.


Blood

Blood

By: 3D Realms, Monolith Productions

Year: 1997

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Blue's Birthday Adventure

Blue's Birthday Adventure

By: Humongous Entertainment

Year: 1999

Genre: Point and Click

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Bonesaw

Bonesaw

By: CodeMonkey

Year: 2009

Genre: Arcade, Platformer

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Boxhead: The Zombie Wars

Boxhead The Zombie Wars

By: Sean Cooper

Year: 2008

Genre: Arcade, Flash, Isometric Shooter

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

This game will somehow always be inside my heart for all of the times I turned to it when I was bored, at the time this was released I still had a Windows 98 I believe? Or was that with the other countless flash games I played in 2002? Either way, this game is THE addicting flash game. It’s a pretty simple game. It’s from the box head series but I never found one as simple or interesting as this one so don’t bother. It can be hard but it’s also easy to get around, and technically by the time I’m writing this I’ve probably been  done and gone with it especially considering I stopped playing this game entirely but I know this game mostly by memory! These addicting flash games, you can only play them for so much time until you realize it’s not really going to change anything but going back to the review, you can select around some 8 maps… I think, there’s this annoying thing that limits me most but after selecting your map you start off with a pistol and zombies attack you from sides, pretty simple you attack back, there’s a variation of enemies and sooner or later you’ll get more weapons and items to use such as barricades that you build around turrets. There’s are a constant alarm and many waves making this is a very great game to take your attention, like any flash game should. This’s simple formula is also nice and frame rate or art style isn’t as obnoxious as many other flash games typical are. It’s a very clean and simple game even though its main enemies are just zombies, vampires and devils.


Probably one of the best flash games in its addicting categories, very simple, filled with weapons, and strategies to survive more, out though a bit impossible at many times.  Hey don’t look at me, it’s actually kind of hard to review flash games like this because flash games throw every single logic out the window but you know it’s a decent flash game. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5


                     

Braid

Braid

By: Jonathan Blow

Year: 2009

Genre: Platformer, Puzzle

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Bright in the Screen

Bright in the Screen

By: HapPie

Year: 2008

Genre: Flash, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




BroForce

BroForce

By: Free Lives

Year: 2014

Genre: Run and Gun, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Well broforce is... Obnoxious. I get nothing from it, but style wise...  Murrica! If there was a canon that shoot bacon ha ha ha. Let’s talk about what if this takes away from the common player this will get shall we? An annoying BRO plays this game and keeps saying Bro but no matter how much times the bro broes the bro game will keep on broing on him and make the bro brew.  This game is still in brota (that’s beta in bro language) but I believe it cannot get more bro than this. 80s MOVIES.

“SLOPPY, LITERALLY FEELS LIKE SAND” – IGN 10/10

This game is literally a witty and slippery made engine someone cooked up as a bad joke and it fails as a sandbox so I didn’t waste any time, bro. 

Shinaz Star Rating 2 out of 5

Burn Zombie Burn

Burn Zombie Burn

By: Doublesix

Year: 2009

Genre: Isometric Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Bunny Must Die

Bunny Must Die

By: Murasame

Year: 2006

Genre: Freeware, Metroidvania

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Call Of Duty 4 Modern Warfare

By: Infinity Ward

Year: 2007

Genre: FPS

Length: 7 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+




Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Editor's Choice

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2

By: Infinity Ward

Year: 2009

Genre: FPS

Length: 9 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+

RAMIREZ, WRITE A REVIEW. What is considered by many nowadays one of the best action games to be released in a while, which I somewhat agree, Modern Warfare 2 is really worth the content for being getting that title of THE ACTION GAME and perhaps the best of the entire series. First of all the game is a much improvement overall on what the first modern warfare was, which didn’t impress me as much as this one did, clipping the boring parts and going straight into all of it’s amazing moments. It’s more dramatic, it’s more action packed, the gunplay feels a bit easier to shoot as if it has actual functionality, the guns are better and more varied and even the stealth missions are excellent (especially compared to what the first one did). Modern Warfare 2 is simply amazing. It has a vast variety of tense open levels with its share of great closed straight forward areas, all with amazing design in maps and various routes and places to stay. It’s funny because the descriptions on Call Of Duty 4 kind of fit Modern Warfare 2 better, the whole thing about being sucked into the intense war without one second hesitating for strategy fits more modern warfare 2 than Call Of Duty 4 did. It’s plot is a bit twisty, like you have no idea, it does give the feel of being at the edge of your seat but boy it gets annoying sometimes, you don’t know when the game is gonna end. By far the game has around 4 fake endings but overall . Out though the game naturally has replayability due to some amazing levels, something the game excels at is the Spec Ops. They are usually snippets of the single player (Or not, could be completely original) with tasks such as: clear a goal in said seconds or survive allot of soldiers which gives much more of a warm arcade feel than the actual arcade mode In Call Of Duty 4, a very nice addition and bonus which sometimes is more entertaining than the single player, even though considering the single player IS AMAZING. DID I SAY THIS GAME IS AMAZING YET? It’s pretty good. It's also better to have something such as spec ops than a usual slow zombie mode like the others have, these are actually really challenging and require to be fast and nimble without non stop doing actions. Multiplayer Is way more fun with the variety of guns and styles (And also the maps). Even the most controversial moment of this game is quite a exhilarating moment for me, mostly because of the synth in the background, the soundtrack is very well composed by Hanz Zimmer a very famous film orchestra creator! But I believe the best thing out of this game to come out is how the skirmishes work so well, the game is the first in the series to include no spawning of enemies! So that means if you kill someone you actually do kill them and you can experience an empty map by doing so.  Having this game have one of the best skirmishes systems to ever be made.  Weapons are excellent, all options seem as a good one, it's a matter of choice whenever you want small arms and bigarms(?) for every weapon you can simply drop and get another one by the enemy and it will still give you a good time!

Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 2 is one of my favorite action games out there of the FPS gerne perhaps, and obviously the best looking and best playing out of the Call Of Duty franchise! It has a good number of varied levels and in general is a great experience. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5




Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3

By: Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games

Year: 2011

Genre: FPS

Length: 9 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+

Well the sequel of the best Call of Duty in the series seems to be… More or less of an equivalent of a vhs sequel to a big hit movie? That somewhat managed to end up being in theaters due to the budget. When I say this feels like a direct vhs sequel I mean it, it continues directly what happens after its predecessor but it feels too CLOSE and similar to it in a way, it doesn’t even feel episodic really, just a straight to vhs movie. Basically, this game is Aladdin: The Return of Jafar... Or Terminator 3... Perhaps Transformers 2? Anyways enough references. The plot is a bit rusty at first but gets straight to the point later on, not only that but introduces a new character which is supposed to be the missing link of all the actions (Spoilers or not). Weapons you start off with feel designed for the level and don’t give you urge to get better weapons because the ones you have are very overpowered and stiff, feeling as if there is no recoil at all. In comparison to the other which you started off with some low weapons and could get some better ones where all weapons where balanced and had their unique capabilities and it was just a matter of choice. Some may think in the first very seconds that the design has gotten worse but later on some somewhat variational levels can be seen. Not as well designed as before but still pretty decent. For example, I’ve encountered maybe one or twice invisible walls playing the game, and it gave me bad memories of Black Ops. But, the variation of levels is still admirable as it goes through allot of places in the game such as Africa, Paris, New York and so on. One problem is that they have brang back one of my issues with Modern Warfare being the crawling missions.  Yes, there are new weapons but they fill as stiff as the overpowered ones you begin with designed for the levels. Other than that yes we do have the problem of having basically the same engine and same animations for various VARIOUS actions. It's lazy, but I can't blame them too hard for the fact that the engine is still solid. But it feels as if this was supposed to be a game in which time was on its side to develop a more original and seperate sequel like Modern Warfare 2 was. The game is not nearly as action packed outside of presentation, yes you are given the setting of end of the world happening but you don’t feel AS tense as before. Of course there are some momments in the game, given that in this game you happen to control more russians than the usual you'll be in some crazy situations! But like i've said, not as ACTIONY as before. Cheesy seemed tolerable in Modern Warfare 2 but gets a bit out of hand in Modern Warfare 3 where instead of a short war it's a world war, in general: Simply outrageous. I've also noticed that it's not as a colorful as the other ones are, those had amazing design in terms of colors (I know we are going to a weird subject but I FELT this allot), it feels as if the game's constrast is lower, as if everything now doesn't PEAK and is as bright. The special ops are thanfully back and they do seem a bit more refined this time, deviding survival and missions. As usual they are fun and more excellent as ever. The new modes that have been added are a much more smoother experience for your enjoyment and if I rated the Call Of Duty series by their extra content, they also include some RPG mechanics with money play, Modern Warfare 3 would of been the winner. In fact, all of the issues I had with Single player are very much fixed in the special ops, the call for weapons is a primarly duty in these modes!

The whole game feels a bit tacky, and even its visuals look a bit more clay (They look like play though at some moments like a bit cartoonish) with the only thing going for it is that it atleast uses the same engine which was already pretty nice for Modern Warfare 2! I don't feel the call of duty to get experience this but overall, the game is decent but not exceptionary. Like i've said though it does have some momments to it so it's all good. And yes there is a twist ending and it does somewhat cover the plotholes in a way of the whole Modern Warfare ending but it could be intrepeted as not canon considering maybe the ending of Modern Warfare 2 sites that the war ended there (the musuem being a hint of that) Either way a great way to the end the series. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5




Call Of Duty: Black Ops

Call Of Duty Black Ops
Art
Eye

By: Treyarch

Year: 2010

Genre: FPS

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Call of Duty Black Ops is a different new series from Call Of Duty about a soldier called mason and flashbacks of him during his missions in the 60s while being interrogated by someone. The plot is somewhat more interesting than the usual Call Of Duty, it does feel somewhat original and the presentation is good never the less… Well not most of the time. It does allot of the time go out from the first person view, breaking the immersion constantly. For starters on the gameplay feels easier to pass by…It plays more like an early 2004 FPS than anything rather than a Call of Duty in which using a pistol actually works, most shots won’t hit you and not many enemies appear on the screen. On top of that the enemies feel dumber and th

ey won’t stop respawning. The game feels really faulty in this considering you can see them spawning sometimes during the game, among some other weird glitches such as death face animations that still creep me out. Also about before me saying the game was easier to pass by, it kind of is except when it’s not… It’s a bit random actually, the difficulty feels a bit unbalanced at times, where you will be given great weapons and sometimes bad weapons. But what I first meant by easier to pass by is that it’s more linear really dropping the quality of multiple paths, there aren’t much of them in here. Not even in war skirmishes the maps are interesting, heck ESPECIALLY in the skirmishes, they by far where the worst experience showing that the game doesn’t handle big wars well. Overall it is by far the simplest Call Of Duty game I’ve played. Which is quite a downgrade. The linear thing by the way? It’s forced as hell, this has so many controlled paths it gets quite out of hand, invisible walls, slow motion up the ass and constant spawning of enemies unless you do one single action that isn’t even properly marked on the screen. Misleading marks are unacceptable in a game like this. You also run slower in this game and you can hardly craw in any location. It is also the Call Of Duty with the weirdest guns I used. I feel as if the only things they improved in gameplay where that they added a better duo weapon functionality in which you only reload the gun you shot, that it feels faster to use claymores (out though it feels a bit too video gamish) and that they added a gore mechanic which quite shows. Everything else has been done inferior especially the AI of the computer, there will be moments where nobody is doing nothing. Either way the variation of levels is atleast admirable, you go even inside a flashback within a flashback during world war 2. Graphics don’t seem improved but they’re really decent, the music is quite a problem though, excluding the out of place Vietnam music put in the game, the soundtrack in general seems too obnoxious with the metal tunes. The multiplayer feels a bit unbalanced at times and it’s not as simple as it used to be, leveling up doesn’t do about all justice as you gotta now use money to buy maps that aren’t at your disposal… I should add fictional money not real money. (But APPERENTLY SOME MAPS ARE PAID TOO).

Well... This is quite the disappointment really. Hm? What’s this? *opens letter* …Apparently Modern Warfare 2 was the last to be made by the original team. And that would explain why of Treyarch’s inferior gameplay… Well. Black Ops isn’t one of the worst games I’ve played and I may be picky on it, but the way it’s poorly handled is unacceptable whenever or not how much fancy plot you throw at me. Not the most polished game I've played.

If anything my most enjoyed momment of this game was the zombie mode having JFK as a playable character alongside other 60s political faces. It was a great laugh and possibly more fun than Black Ops and general. That and the silly top down shooter. Maybe they where trying to back up the fact with mediocre campaign gameplay with those  little modes.

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5




Canabalt

Canabalt

By: Adam Atomic

Year: 2009

Genre: Arcade, Flash, Platformer

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Cave Story

Cave Story

By: Studio Pixel

Year: 2004

Genre: Metroidvania

Length: 6 hours to 10 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger







Ceboliha & Floqunho

Cebolinha & Floquinho

By: Melhoramentos

Year: 1996

Genre: Point and Click

Length: 30 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger








Chalk

Chalk

By: Konjak

Year: 2007

Genre: Freeware, Shoot 'Em Up

Length: 30 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger







Chime

Chime

By: Zoë Mode

Year: 2010

Genre: Puzzle, Rhythm

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Clean Asia!

Clean Asia

By: Cactus

Year: 2007

Genre: Freeware, Shoot 'Em Up

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger







Clickplay 3

Clickplay 3

By: Ninjadoodle

Year: 2010

Genre: Flash, Puzzle

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Cogs

Cogs

By: Lazy 8 Studios

Year: 2009

Genre: Puzzle

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Comatose

Comatose

By: Aspik

Year: 2011

Genre: FPS, Mod, Puzzle?

Length:10 to 20 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! Comatose is a puzzle FPS game where (after the huge and long pointless introduction) you wake up in abandoned building BLEEDING ALLOT, using painkillers will reduce your bleeding and give you more health but doesn’t stop the bleeding, the bleeding pretty much in this game is obviously a timer so you do stuff fast, the entire objective of the game is to go room by room solving puzzles.. Well, not EXACTLY puzzles, it’s more of a QUICK FIND THE ITEM before you die type of game, and the key item could be like ANYWHERE you gotta search about every inch of the game to find it. Most rooms are filled with annoying boxes of which you should grab EACH by each to find under the pile of boxes an item that will help you progress to the other room, this is a very stressful thing considering almost every room in the game has too many objects that nearly FILL the entire room. By the end of the game you will find a item that will make you stop bleeding and RIGHT after the game is almost ending, in the end you have either the choice to 2 endings depending what you do in the final scene, after choosing you are presented with animated pictures of what happened… SLOWLY. Both endings in my opinion where pretty bad but the one I kill less people were atleast more… Neutral? Plot almost doesn’t even exist in this game, it’s your typical guy loses his memory WOOPSIE DAISY BETTER START SOLVING PUZZLES, the main character talks but… Feels unnecessary, about everything the main character says is absolutely useless and OBVIOUS, not only that his dialog is horrible but most of what he says occupies 100% the bottom of the screen with HUGE white text. It’s not as if the main character was REALLY important like they didn’t even give him a proper plot or something, by the end of the game it won’t explain who the main character so the entire suspense is just a merely tease. Style isn’t that bad, the introduction uses these huge letters to present the titles but the camera OVERALL in the entire introduction is so SLOW, the same issue is in the ending of the game and it’s even WORSE. Most of the game has this Orange & Blue thing going on, most of the walls are this dead orange, shadowing or edges of items are blue and it’s pretty interesting to see that in the ending the colors all become normal. Music is… UGH… Random, it goes from teenager angsty music to 90’s cheesy low quality indie movie suspense music and feels as if the creator of the game didn’t know what type of STYLE of music he wanted to go with as if the music direction was insanely BIPOLAR.

Comatose has allot of issues and one of the biggest ones is that it’s simply too short, it gives you merely these short puzzle games and a bad ending with POSSIBLY the SLOWEST cutscenes ever known to modding men. The entire game is nothing other than a find a needle in a haysack simulator and only made me feel frustrated and disappointed.

Shinaz Star Rating 2 out of 5



  

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

Command and Conquer Red Alert 2

By: Westwood Pacific

Year: 2000

Genre: RTS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Condemned: Criminal Origins

Condemned Criminal Origins

By: Monolith Productions

Year: 2006

Genre: FPS, Beat 'Em Up, Survival Horror

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Cortex Command Editor's Choice

Cortex Command

By: Data Realms LLC

Year: 2006-2012

Genre: Platformer, RTS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

An RTS with WASD 2d platforming where brains control robots against other robots until one robot kills a brain! Personally one of my favorite indie games of all times, I used to be so addicted to this game when it was in beta, I’m not even sure how its full versions are most of the time but I do remember this: THE PHYSICS. This is such an amazing looking game with its numerous gibs and little pixels but what gets me is that there is a balance in the physics, speeds and what not, and realism, it’s just such an amazing game really you can fly your own characters into a wall and die. This game has so much going for it, it’s a pity it’s so simple though because of that, because it really is one of the best games I’ve played in terms of Indie games. Everyone complains about how gently you must take care of this controls but honestly I love how swiftly and realistic the bodies control in this game. Some robots you control bleed, some are just robots, some are more expensive and some are cheap which doubles to quality, to get money you usually start off with robots with digging tools to dig gold, these digging tools are very important because they kind of showcase the game’s engine in which everything can melt mostly. It’s sad that the A.I. doesn’t know this that much because they’ll send around 30 diggers and if brain is correctly placed they’ll usually end up melting each of the same team. It’s just amazing how FUN THIS GAME Is, there are SO many chances to be had, you can launch a rocket into a coming ship and if that ship falls perfectly it adds more defense to your base! It’s very hard to explain Cortex Command but it ends up being a very simple and complex game with very funny explosions.


Cortex Command is such a very amazing RTS game with hilarity moments almost every single second, there are countless mods to make the game fun and to experiment more, the gameplay is fluent and and very good looking. The speed and systems are great. Just becareful not to trip on a rock or else you’ll die. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5


       


Cosmic Break

CosmicBreak

By: CyberStep

Year: 2009

Genre: MMORPG, Third Person Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+






Counter-Strike

Counter-Strike 1

By: Valve Corporation

Year: 1999

Genre: FPS

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+





Counter-Strike: Source

Counter-Strike Source

By: Valve Corporation

Year: 2004

Genre: FPS

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+



Cowboykilla

Cowboykilla

By: Banov

Year: 2010

Genre: Arcade, Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger



Crazy Over Goo

Crazy Over Goo

By: Banov

Year: 2009

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Crayon Physics Deluxe

Crayon Physics Deluxe

By: Petri Purho

Year: 2009

Genre: Puzzle

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Crystal Cubes

Crystal Cubes

By: NZ Lab

Year: 2009

Genre: Freeware, Puzzle

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason

Cryostasis

By: Action Forms

Year: 2009

Genre: FPS, Survival Horror

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger







Dark Messiah of Might and Magic

Dark Messiah of Might and Magic

By: Arkane Studios, Floodgate Entertainment

Year: 2006

Genre: Beat 'Em Up, FPS, RPG

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Darwinia

Darwinia

By: Introversion Software

Year: 2005

Genre: RTS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Day of Defeat: Source

Day of Defeat Source

By: Valve Corporation

Year: 2005

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+



Dead Rising 2 Editor's Choice

Dead Rising 2

By: Capcom

Year: 2010

Genre: Hack 'n Slash, Sandbox, Survival Horror

Length: 25 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger

Vein
Note
Heart

My relationship with this game is very mixed but I guess to the end I ended up enjoying it, so it’s kind of a game that grew up in me rather than catch my eye at the first glance. I am more or less in a love/hate relationship with it because most of the time it’s boring and repetitive and other times the game can be really entertaining, interesting and in general charming. Dead Rising 2 is a sequel to an early Xbox 360 exclusive game so don’t blame anyone that they couldn’t play it, this game on the other hand is multi-platform and pretty well optimized for the computer (in some ways… What I’m basically saying is that the mouse controls work and the game doesn’t slowdown on you if you have a decent to not perfect computer, especially if you are using a NVidia graphic card), the game is about a man who is part of a game show in a zombie infested universe similar to ours, a zombie outbreak happens inside the mall… Casino? Uhhh, Shopping? Hard to describe the place but it has a zombie outbreak and he is during the game framed by the news and has to do some nice stuff before the rescue comes, he also has a daughter where he needs to give Zombrex, a really big side mission inside this game, you find zombrex in hidden locations or bought in some shops. To play Dead Rising 2 in a manner you yourself will enjoy takes experience, in order to the game to be fun you gotta know your surroundings and do everything insanely perfectly, reminding me quite allot of Pikmin, one of my favorite games. The game has a huge amount of effort, or atleast in my eyes because, each place is interesting to explore, there are various ways to play the game, various foods, mini-games, funny jokes, characters, vehicles, weapons and combinations you could do which is a really nice feature in this game, you can combine specific items with other specific items to create special items which give you more experience points and are just all around better weapons that will eliminate more of the hordes of zombies you find (does not apply to all combo weapons). Most consider this game really boring due to one of the main goals being to save people, out though yes it is boring, rescuing people in the game will award you with amazing prizes that are sometimes even necessary to make the game playable.  Other than that there are the main missions which has cutscenes and something else with cutscenes are the psychopaths which are the bosses, which can be find either randomly or when they are marked! Boss fights are usually where all the challenge comes from this game boy are they INSANELY hard, the way the boss fights inside this game are designed remind me quite allot of Mega Man, the way you have to decorate each single move and have a tactic to go against it. This should be noted because this game is produced by the creator Keiji Inafune! (Creator of Mega Man) Which would end up sadly being one of he’s last games, honestly it was a nice way to finish the work at Capcom but I feel as if modern Capcom needs him.  The plot and dialog of the game is really cheesy, but atleast it’s shows that not only is it cheesy but the cheesiest! It makes a 80s action movie weep at the amount of catchphrases and puns the main character says, the type of stuff that can only make you enjoy them at a sarcastic point of view imitating and having the same reaction of a jock when screaming at the sake of someone drinking beer at a crazy amount. (OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!) The plot has some twists here and there and considering this game could be multi-ending there are some stuffs you can do to change the ending.  The soundtrack is really nice, and it ended up being one of my favorite albums of all time due to the fact of you don’t usually find mall music anywhere that easy, other than amazingly cheesy mall music playing inside the game there is this kind of early 2001 Alternative Metal which sometimes (AS MUCH AS I hate this type of music) can be really catchy… But only because you die on the bosses that the music plays. 

The game I usually started to hate ended up being really nice through playing and experiencing it and I ended up enjoying the game overall, I was amazed at the amount of effort throughout the game with the many things you could interact with.

The game isn’t to DIE for but I would recommend a little rising for it. A fair warning that the game is really strict with it's time rules. Also suprisingly memorable and just charming with it's effort.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5





Dead Space

Dead Space

By: EA

Year: 2008

Genre: Survival Horror, Third Person Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Eye

ARRGGHH HMMPGHH! What happens to be a shocker coming from EA, happens to be what seems the birth child of Doom 3 and Resident Evil 4. With that said you will pretty much experience somewhat cultish happenings in space and gruesome monsters of course! The gameplay is very similar to Resident Evil 4; plot pretty similar to Doom 3 with the demons attacking at a space colony and consisting of the time this was made that isn’t really given, lots of the elements of this game where mostly in fact obviously inspired by what was considered hot at the time. But enough of comparing the game to various stuff, because in some sense it could be really ground breaking for what it achieves, for instance: The fact that it’s one of the only games I know that uses only in-game interference and it really makes this one of the games with the most immersion I’ve seen, that is with the excluding of the credits at the start of the game.  If the job of a video game designer is to make you feel as if you are inside the game, the people who came up with this idea obviously where doing it the way that saying goes! The sound of the game is mostly what consists of American horror related works (the VIOLINS are exaggerated), and I can tell through the game has a really loud bass, especially when it’s in space and you can hear as if what would you be hearing if you were listening through a helmet in space. Voice acting on the enemy aliens is really decent, it consists more of “RARRRGH” than evil laughter and sometimes it’s just high screeched screams. Voice acting in the humans reminds me of something really from a typical sci-fi tv show like Battlestar Galactica. Something I really enjoyed throughout the game is the design, just in general, out though the space shuttle thing was in fact in various other games before this such as Doom 3, various sections on the ship and stuff written on the wall is what made it so well done, at one point of the game there is a wall that has an entire alphabet of the alien language AND I HONESTLY HAVE NO IDEA WHO WOULD SPEND THAT MUCH TIME TRANSLATING SOMETHING BUT THAT’S JUST TO SHOW THAT ALLOT OF EFFORT WAS PUT IN ONE SIMPLE INSANE MESSAGE ON THE WALL. Like I’ve said before about various sections is that the chapters are usually different, and yet sometimes repetitive I guess? Because I do remember going in the same location allot of times, yet in different parts of it. Some have different colors and some different meanings, some locations are really big and my favorite (yet sometimes annoying) would be the 0 gravity locations. The game has a very interesting 0 gravity gameplay style that lets you jump around various places anywhere you want with a flat ground, These places are usually really spacious (and dead heehee) and just in general the game seems a bit closed yet open all the time, 0 gravity exploring these places could be really fun for a while but there are times where it GETS really annoying and the breadcrumb system doesn’t help. Breadcrumbs are a unique thing added to this game, it’s pretty much a line that shows you which location you should be going next, yes this kind of makes the game easier to a point some people might complain but I’m fine with it, the only problem with following it strictly is that you wouldn’t get extra items in unnecessary locations.  Also it’s called breadcrumbs… That is somewhat funny. And if that doesn’t make the game any easier, the save locations will, it TAKES about 5 minutes to find a another Ragdoll physics in this game can as well be really annoying considering they flip out really easily and sometimes the kicking function in this game can really get out of hand because you can BARELY aim with it. Also the Air items are somewhat useless because of the various air dispensers, only if it gets REALLY impossible you use them, and that’s rare. Also they remind me of another survival horror game “Deep Fear” which is way more inferior than this. Some Instant deaths can be funny at the first time you see them, but get annoying really quickly before you have no idea how to stop it. But in general I’ve enjoyed Dead Space, I think what should be said is that it is pretty balls to the walls extreme sometimes, I’ve haven’t added that much enthusiasm in explain it in this review but  this game is VERY VERY gruesome! The visceral amount is off the charts and I don’t know any game that is more visceral than it. Some locations are really interesting and some action ideas in general are really original! Out though yes the plot is you’re same old same old aliens infect a place plot with some twists here and there it makes it good because of the fact that of the atmosphere and the design of the monsters.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut

Deadly Premonition The Director's Cut

By: SWERY65

Year: 2013

Genre: Third Person Shooter, Sandbox, Sim, Survival Horror

Length:  21 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Zack, you remember that silly game don't you? Ah yes, a classic of mischief in modern video games of today as it feels as if many like said could of been one of the best games given the time of the game's release. Heck, this game in all is better than Shenmue in every way. Of course many might consider this game a bit too farfetched for the standards of TODAY. This game is very known for being both the death of a cool dinosaur and later on the oil that fuels our transportation. The existing mixing opinions on this game are one of the biggest proofs. Me? I'm a sucker for these type of games, I am known for being easily impressed by unique stuff like this that carries some actual old-school experimental weight to them. Much like my love to the 5th Generation of video games. Everything really from this game can be considered unique in a way, the choppy disturbing hard to control schematics of gameplay, the quirky dialog given all around and the somewhat charming and memorable graphics of the game which are supposed to be considered bad but I can't think of them in any other way than amazing. I've never seen a game as SHINY as this game. Every single model is as if they are mirrors reflecting the world, which I also comment on the art-style of the game. Faces usually look crooked, like a really odd way of a Caucasian face and animations ARE always a laugh to be had of how direct, out of nowhere, and choppy they are. There are many times people in the game will simply do MIME positions in less than 1 second. With this game every moment is a happy one, everything is a memorable shenanigan! Out though seen in a very optimistic point of view of what’s supposed to bad, how bad can this really be? We live in the world where stuff like Skyrim is acceptable to be its cheesy choppy mastering for what it’s worth and that in the end it guarantees us allot of content to experience, why do the rules out of nowhere change when it’s not something not as popular or defensive seen in other games? This game is just a very normal suited full experience video game really if we just generalize it. And boy how much it is! It’s filled with so MUCH. The obvious similarities to this game and Twin Peaks is quite a lot, for example, some even consider this game Twin Peaks: The game. Which is quite a title honestly, but it completely out of twin Peaks, by being a video game it’s of course more interactive and doesn’t need to restrain itself to be a TV show making sure you have all the options of drinking coffee without commercials! Just kidding, the media differences should be obvious but really the game actually does more sense and personally in my opinion has MORE charm. At least I can relate with the protagonist rather than give them the weird eye due to everything David Lynch makes uses the “What If” mentality. The soundtrack is GOLDEN. From the memorable whistle song to the silly scene music. This game might as well be the result of if games were stuck in the 5th generation.

It is completely worth the experience even if its gameplay might not be the best.

Its silliness and dialog will make you confess! (Like Wow THIS IS PRETTY GOOD)

Sometimes, video games are very good in concept rather than how it actually plays.

This is one of the best examples of them; it made me feel as if I got laid.

So says Mr. Stewart.

Deathspank

Deathspank

By: Hothead Games

Year: 2008

Genre: Isometric Shooter, RPG

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




DEFCON: Everybody Dies

DEFCON Everybody Dies

By: Introversion Software

Year: 2007

Genre: RTS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Depict1

Depict1

By: Miroslav Malesevic

Year: 2010

Genre: Flash, Platformer, Puzzle

Length: 30 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

A interesting flash game where the entire concept is that someone is lying to you and you must do the exact opposite, lies such as: "If you touch the tree you die" and "Eat this poison mushroom and you will gain super powers" these are just unrelated examples i'm giving, I won’t give away actual stuff from the game because that would take all the fun in discovering if it was a lie or not. Gameplay is simple platforming with some complex puzzles and first of all the game doesn't tell you which buttons control the character and it took me a while to discover it by typing each single button on the keyboard, most of the time you will have to use a knife to jump on walls (You through the knife in the wall it becomes a platform and you can jump in it) and the attacking is pretty delayed so you're timing should be PERFECT (especially if you want the true ending that requires only 2 chances unless you won't do it). Background animation (and animation in general) is pretty neat, there is allot of squares that turn around when you walk and enemies usually have this flame animation between them which is pretty impressive.

Game has some unique ideas and it’s looks and atmosphere are pretty much flawless for a flash game, it’s the type of game that gives you a somewhat similar feeling Portal can give you so it’s totally worth the try.

Demolition Gunner

Demolition Gunner

By: Dark Hell Company

Year: 2007

Genre: Freeware, Shoot 'Em Up

Length: 30 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

A game where you play as a helicotper which is kind of odd most indie Shoot 'em Ups from Japan are usually spaceships, cars... Girls. First of all I simply love how smooth the bullet animation or animation in general like the wings in the helicopters in this game that is super fast. All the enemies, background and yourself is super are super well detailed but usually get repetitive due to the fact that the theme of this entire game is being GREY, It is one of the most grayish and brownish Shoot 'em Ups ever made and i think to myself "I thought being brown and grey was a FPS thing!" when this game proves it wrong. By destroying random buildings in the level you can find squares with star which are Bonuses, by each bonus you gain you become more powerful same goes for almost every power up such as Shot Power and Napalm. Unlike many other Shoot 'em Ups where you die in one shot this game has a unique shield system which you start off with 2 shields and if you get an extra shield you will gain immunity for a while. Music has an oldschool feeling to it due to the fact that it's all MIDI which you feel as if you’re playing a old Windows game or worse... Visiting a 90's site... Eugghhh...

Honestly in my opinion the game is pretty short, and sure it has allot of difficulty but I don't really that much of a good Shoot 'Em up even for Freeware standards there are far better ones than this short game.

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5

Deus Ex Editor's Choice

Deus Ex
Art
Vein
Tear
Note
Eye
Heart

By: Ion Storm Inc., Eidos, Square Enix

Year: 2000

Genre: FPS, RPG

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger / 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+

Deus ex is really famous for its replayability as well. Deus Ex is known as a game of choice, not of many choices from… Let’s say… Erasing time and space and creating a whole new game from scratch, but within the games level you can choose a variation of how you want to go through them.  This shows in the upgrading system, from time you’ll get points for either finding stuff or completing missions fully so you can use them in a variation of skills that will HELP. You can solve a level by simply… Lockpicking if you have enough of the skill, or look out for a key in which you can find on a body or another location, you might as well explode a weak door if you got the explosives which is always my style. Basically, to use certain types of styles, weapons and how you navigate in the game require training! You’re disposed onto being able to use all features but they will improve if you are trained in them more, going back to Lockpicking, if you level up Lockpicking a door that requires 2 lockpicks may only need 1 lockpick if you’re good at them. You can choose from being violent to more peaceful using stealth, the game seems to be VERY self-aware and will act with the ways you play. Along that you have a choice between 2 powerups from powerup canners you find around in each of their body part functionality that will give you different ways to play the game. 

As complex as the plot may seem it ends up being really understandable, sure there are various symbolism and small touches around. But Deus Ex is at heart a sympathetic simple game where you adventure as the hero, it is a game with allot of character and depth that can be scanned. And overall it gives you something I don’t see in many western games. Would it be to offensive to say Deus Ex has more of a Japanese presentation in terms of entertainment that it gives you this INCREDIBLE variational adventure with kick ass music and somewhat cheesy but very deep dialog with symbolism to various philosophies. Heck the entire game is basically what I would guess are the first classes of a simple philosophy class or a documentary you see on TV playing about existential crises in ancient Greek. It is literally the type of game that’s plot immerses you into its mentality and teaches you some interesting points of views and ideals! (even though you may have knew of them or MAYBE IF THEY ARE A BIT TOO UNHEALTHY FOR OUR SOCIETY) Politics, morality and humanity are some of the many you will invest yourself while experiencing Deus Ex. It’s all perfectly fitted in the game’s corners of dialog and is mostly excellently foreshadowing. Like yes I’ve seen good foreshadowing but this one is where the very first thing you’re presented with is the main idea behind everything!  It’s just the perfect.

Deus Ex Symbol

Deus Ex truly is one of the shining examples of “BEST GAME EVER”, and it’s one of my favorites of all time too, but in general I would say Deus Ex is the perfect game. Even as far as the limitations go, selection for engines at the time being not the best choices. It seems as if Deus Ex truly pulls through doing as much as it can within its limit, achieving the greatest stuff.

Jc-denton

It’s just the type of game that every single time I think of it it’s an immediate flashback of a nice moment I had during the game. This game makes me so pumped everytime I simply think of it.  The reveals, the music, the gameplay styles, the writing and character will always be a favorite for me. It might be the best designed game but it is the most favorable one that stays with you, as should almost everything in the world honestly, to be perfect you have to be imperfect, if it wasn't for the weird voice acting this game has I honestly would take some points off of it. 


And truly yes It is by far the most recommended experience I could give, like I don’t even force people to watch movies when this is indeed a game, possibly THE ONLY game I feel as if people should be obliged to play, you could ignore every single video game because this one is basically the only one that gives you fulfillment, like I’ve said before it might teach you some stuff but it’s STILL surprising how Deus Ex is simply one of the ONLY video games to actually get into subjects and actually talk about it rather than reference and be other’s media’s bitch. Out though of course most of the writing influence comes from famous novels and past philosophies written in the 15th century and so on.  BUT STILL, A NICE WRAP UP ON THE MEDIA. 

Deus Ex Star

I seriously cannot recommend this game more enough. To talk about it is to spoil how great of an experience it is and like I've said before, it is the game everyone should play at least once to completion to get a grasp and experience of what a good video game is like, i might explain it in the most simple form but it is simply astounding. You might consider it outdated in some features but it is so special in so many ways. It is the coming of a new god. 

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Editor's Choice

Deus Ex Human Revolution
Art
Vein

By: Eidos, Square Enix

Year: 2011

Genre: FPS, RPG, Stealth

Length: 40 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Note
Eye
Heart

I never asked for this. A prequel for the original Deus Ex and considered by many as a very good sequel to the original Deus Ex. You play as Adam Jensen, an ex-cop working for Sarif Industries, an industry that makes augmented parts for humans, when suddently augmented super soldiers attack Sarif, kill scientists, steal your ex-girlfriend Miss Reed and damage you to the point of dying, you are rebuilt with augmentations and start to research on who attacked Sarif and why, many conspiracies involve around the entire human augmentation topic and there are various conspiracies and enemies around the entire place.  Gameplay this time is excellent, simplified, yet great. The game also seems to go in a new direction, it’s supposed to be a RPG at heart but is secretly an stealth game, especially when compared to Deus Ex, there are more stealth mechanics than anything inside this game and if you don’t get lured by it you must be an action man at heart. There has been a simplification of course like any modern game. An example of the simplification is that there aren’t as much upgrade options to specific categories (like useless ones like swimming… In fact I just realized you don’t swim in this game…) hacking has become way more fun and an actual proper game on its own. It still has all of the features I’ve loved from the original Deus Ex such as amazing fun exploration, inside this game it feels a bit more linear with all of the modern help such as pinpoints, but one thing I think was amazing to add in was the fact that it prizes you for doing such things, making it really enjoyable to explore. Whenever you want to go through a vent, or talk your way in, you will receive points for the actions you do to get somewhere creatively and sometimes the game doesn’t have limits, this especially shows in the way you choose to upgrade yourself.  Choices do change the way you play the game in the most obvious way, it doesn’t penalty you for choosing the way you want to play and there are many many ways to go somewhere as I’ve said before but most of these ways are depending on the choices on the perks you choose. Whenever you want to walk faster, jump higher or carry things more, this is will drastically change the way you play the video game and can actually limit you to some missions if you don’t have a number of power ups it wants you to.

The difficulty settings are a bit confusing to me, I didn't knew what they meant at first because of the titles and I didn't know if this would modify gameplay that much at the time being. Apparently "Giving you Deus Ex" is the hardest setting... I just said I wanted the game... And for that every single shot I get is an instant death, that isn't the main issue that much though, it just forces you to be strictly stealth the entire game and use the annoying cover system…. Update… I just figured out that the easiest game modes only difference is that it keeps pointing you out opportunities, and makes people die easier, aint that something. The difficulty is primarily an issue with boss fights inside this game, I’ll get to that later, but keep in mind it Is possibly the only reason this game comes out hard in general for me. Dialog is excellent in my book and I considered it one of the best, the voice acting is incredibly natural and fluent and it does really feel that some actions can change completely the way you interact with the game. Most of it is of course the deepest concepts in games, topics such as what it is to be human and how humans can change they're morality very easily. Design, music and atmosphere in general are amazingly well done, it does have constant flashes to the tradition Deus Ex classic theme songs but only for the kicks, the rest of the soundtrack is a usual ambient of a synth going "bum bum bum bum bum" several times and I won't lie it has been around my head throughout the weeks. The atsmophere and design is interestingly based on art of the Renaissance era, which explains why it is so yellow, so very colossal and stuff. It is obvious that this is a game that strikes style everywhere you look, and you’ll just find a place that catches your eye multiple times. Definitely has more going than the original game but, the first game was more unlimited and not strictly cyberpunk where Deus Ex: Human Revolution is strictly cyberpunk, obviously because of the attention it’s getting recently, also enjoy the constant references to Robocop.

One of the biggest flaws of the game is possibly the bosses, either they were trying to find some sort of to make the game have a more Japanese feel and just be Metal Gear Solid in first person shooters (due to the boss designs and style), all of the bosses are horrendous and difficult, its exceptional while on the Deus Ex difficulty to kill regular soldiers due to the fact that stealth is important, but this does not at all go with the element of boss fights, the boss fights (I guess this could go for the entire game as a whole) are all about trial and error, to kill a boss you have to use a pricise number of strategies and they all end up being cheap attacks or you breaking the game to make it easier, some bosses take 1 hour because you’re not entirely sure if you’re doing any progress or not, they could of atleast added a health bar or something because it feels as if you are not doing anything at all or doing something wrong. It’s pretty sad as well that all of these characters, heck, including you are somewhat irreverent to what is going to happen later on the series. All of what you play is just a side-story but when you think about it it’s not even that much of a problem if it’s an entertaining side-story that draws you into allot of adventures. I’m just saying it’s a bit of a dump of expectance to know that in the end the plot doesn’t really matter, there is also a high expecting of big stuff happening but they never really do, you usually just play after the aftermath and stuff. Cutscenes seem as well as a fake promise, the cutscenes in the trailers where amazingly well done and had a final fantasy feeling (which is common considering they are being published by the same company) but the cutscenes inside the game aren’t as beautiful and the things inside actual gameplay are more beautiful to look at, especially during interrogation.

As much as I keep on saying on how this game has flaws with plot and misplaced game elements in some places, It is still one of the best games I’ve played in a while with amazing content and a honest good addition to the Deus Ex series that lives up to the exploration and multiple ways you can play.  I simply think there was a somewhat bad taste in my mouth in the end due to the justification of the plot at the end and the fact that the ending isn’t as polished, beautiful, fun to explore like the first parts of the game.  I would ask for more what they gave me in the beginning.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5




D/Generation

DGeneration

By: Robert Cook, James Brown

Year: 1991

Genre: Isometric Shooter 2 hours

Length: 2 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Unfortunately you are now unemployed. A somewhat cyberpunk game where you are in a company developing viruses, something went wrong obviously and you must save the people inside and go through mazes against robots and biologic experiments (balls and other shapes), the problem? It’s just too hard. Well this is about it isn’t it? A game that tests your timing to the fullest, and what’s really sad is that it does feel fair and easy but the only issue is the KEYPAD! Oh my god this game would have one simple solution if the arrow keys could let you walk to the ordinal directions, but THEY DIDN’T PROGRAM IT just to spite you, they do allow you to use the arrow keys still but it’s primarily a game where most of the time you go ordinals and it’s so hard to get used to, it’s as if you have to play every single plan out and that’s just no fun.

If you are playing this game I TRULY recommend a joystick of some kind, because the keypad is kind of hard to get used to and the whole game truly is based on SLIGHTLY avoiding objects. If you ever dare to play a hard game.

Diablo II

Diablo 2

By: Blizzard North

Year: 2000

Genre: Isometric Shooter, RPG

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Dino Run

Dino Run

By: PixelJAM

Year: 2008

Genre: Flash, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Dinner Date

Dinner Date

By: Stout Games

Year: 2011

Genre: Non-Theory, FPSS (First Person Soup Stirrer)

Length: 30 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

FUCK JERRY! A interactive game about a depressed man getting trying to get into a new relationship after many years... And failing miserably. The concept of the game is that you play as the subconsciousness of a drunk British guy named Julian that after asking a girl out is disappointed on realizing she won't come and starts to get more and more depressed and starts to get more furious with the world and general stuff that happens in his life and i got to admit the concept is pretty amazing and presented in a brilliant way of telling a story being done in a interesting view but doesn't really cut into being a that much of a good game. The game has interaction but few, you control the player's hand and you have the choice to doddle around the food, check the clock, view some object or simply just drink your problems out. This may sound like a typical and fun way to go with the plot but the sad thing is that there isn't that much to options, sometimes the choices are forced and the game itself will GO ON without you doing anything. This isn't really holding your hand, its pushing you're entire body. The graphics are pretty brownish, and kind of reminds me of Russian indie games... And of course FRANCE! Animations are unique but look a bit STATIC as if the main character of the game is having a seizure or is REALLY that crazy and drunk. The sound quality is excellent in my opinion, voice acting is top notch and seems realistic and most of the game you will hear to smooth and calm piano music ... And now that I think about it, the voice acting looks a bit too realistic, maybe it was well improvised and not actually written? Maybe.

The game actually does deliverer a satisfying plot with a interesting way to present it but of course, the length and gameplay of the game kind of ruin it, making you think "How come this wasn't a actual short film instead of a full price video game?". Even if I keep thinking to myself that this game should be free I still think it's worth a buck for the plot, animation and originally composed music. It's worth a try, but don't expect much. Think Dinner Date as what it is, a short meal. But seriously it could of been a short film.

Shinaz Star Rating 2 out of 5






Disney's Activity Center 102 Dalmatians

Disney's Activity Center 102 Dalmatians

By: Disney Interactive Studios

Year: 2000

Genre: Platformer, Mini-games, Simulator

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger







Disney's Activity Center Toy Story 2

Disney's Activity Center Toy Story 2

By: Disney Interactive Studios

Year: 2002

Genre: Platformer, Mini-games

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Disney's Active Play a bug's life

Disney's Active Play a bug's life

By: Disney Interactive Studios

Year: 1998

Genre: Point and Click, Storybook

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Disney's Animated StoryBook 101 Dalmatians

Disney's Animated StoryBook 101 Dalmatians

By: Disney Interactive Studios

Year: 1997

Genre: Point and Click, Storybook

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Disney's Animated StoryBook Toy Story

Disney's Animated StoryBook Toy Story

By: Disney Interactive Studios

Year: 1998

Genre: Point and Click, Storybook

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Disney's Animated Storybook Winnie the Pooh & Tigger Too

Disney's Animated Storybook Winnie the Pooh & Tigger Too

By: Disney Interactive Studios

Year: 1999

Genre: Point and Click, Storybook

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Disney's Extremely Goofy Skateboarding

Disney's Extremely Goofy Skateboarding

By: Krome Studios

Year: 2001

Genre: Sports

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Disney's Hotshots Timon & Pumbaa's Hippo Hop

Disney's Hotshots Timon & Pumbaa's Hippo Hop

By: Disney Interactive Studios

Year: 1997

Genre: Arcade

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Disney's Magic Artist

Disney's Magic Artist

By: Disney Interactive Studios

Year: 1999

Genre: Workstation

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Disney's Magic Artist Deluxe

Disney's Magic Artist Deluxe

By: Disney Interactive Studios

Year: 2001

Genre: Workstation

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Disney's Magic Artist Studio

Disney's Magic Artist Studio

By: Disney Interactive Studios

Year: 2000

Genre: Workstation

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Disney's Mickey Mouse Kindergarten

Disney's Kindergarten

By: Disney Interactive Studios

Year: 2000

Genre: Educational, Point and Click

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Doodle God 2

Doodle God 2

By: JoyBits

Year: 2011

Genre: Flash

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






DooM

DooM

By: id Software

Year: 1993

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






DooM II: Hell on Earth

DooM II

By: id Software

Year: 1994

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




DooM³

DooM 3

By: id Software

Year: 2004

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Double Dragon Neon

Double Dragon Neon
Note
Eye
Heart

By: WayForward Technologies

Year: 2014

Genre: Beat 'em up

Length: 5 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/'''''1 Player Shinaz Larger

This game ended up being quite amazing, I have my doubts considering it’s remake to an NES beat em up game that may might as well be considered outdated by now but they upgraded it quite a bit, it has a parry system and what not with tones of combo styles. It’s quite a very good beat em up, especially one that’s a remake of a game that doesn’t much appeal to begin with. Because… What is Double Dragon that much? It was just a popular beat em up some people got during their childhood and not much outside of that, other than that of course there are SOME offensive themes such as a game that literally starts with a woman being punched in the stomach but huzzah, this is a game that homages to the zaniness and ridiculous 80s! It comes with RPG mechanics you get around by collection tapes that play 80s parody music to give you upgrades.  The game can be insanely easy after mastering parrying and knowing simple combos.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

DreamWeb

DreamWeb

By: Creative Reality

Year: 1994

Genre: Point and Click Adventue Game

Length: 4 hours, eternity in the stuck dimension

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger Dreamweb is a very innovative and stylistic game but it is not very kin on plot, it’s obvious they wanted to come up with a very atmospheric and edgy point and click adventure without any concept or idea to begin with and just for fun. I mean in a nutshell it’s just someone who gets a weird dream and as a result wants to kill people; basically your character could be from a sane perspective a type taxi driver psychopath. But I guess as the game explains to you, you are visited by a monk in control of a thing called a DreamWeb, a collection of people’s dreams in a pool of little blue mana and the dreamweb is going bad because 7 specific people in the future may bring the post apocalypse in the future and this causes the DreamWeb to make everyone have bad dreams and negative thoughts, it’s your mission to kill each of them to restore neutrality to the world. Honestly seems just like an insane conspiracy and those 7 people are just evil for what they are but apparently not because this is indeed a FANTASY cyberpunk game and the game does indeed give hints that the people you are killing know what evil they’re doing (but if you’re so into that perspective you can imagine this is all he’s mind speaking to himself). Like I’ve said before the plot isn’t very bright and it’s probably there just for an excuse of getting away with making a serial killer simulator that this game is. Which it totally is, it’s completely and absolutely a straight up dark noir cyberpunk game which is mostly why anyone would enjoy it in the first place, it kind of reminds me of old B movies such as Videodrome in which you’re set up all of this surreal plot on saving the world but in actuality it’s just some random serial killer killing someone for a random cause because… He heard something in his dream. Well either way to stop commenting how much of a cliché this form of plot is and how broken it is, it would seem I don’t love this game in any way. To reassure, I do love this game quite a lot. Yeah it’s cheesy but so is most of the media it’s using as reference, besides, it’s a good cheese, probably like danbo or something. Either way it is a very realistic looking grimy game, it may seem cartoonish but it is filled with DARK detail, for example you one of the ideas that this game is so innovative is the fact that you can explore everything as it is real life, you can open your toaster and get two slices of toast! I can relate, about everyone forgets their toast from time to time. (Oh were you thinking about the dark pixelated penis sex scene and how you shoot his head off? Well I was more fascinated with the toast honestly). But yes, the main thing about this game outside of being seen from an up view is that a small pixel can be something very important to solve a puzzle later on, of course, only a few items are actually important while there are so many things you can pick up such as a SINGLE pea which will never be useful. The game also comes with impossible to solve stuff which can only be known of when you read the manual, maybe it was a piracy protection thing? The game is pretty short and simple, but understandable considering how each single location oozes of effort, yes it’s possible to get stuck considering there are many distractions in the game and useless items (sorry toast), some fun dialog, some not, but it mostly comes to around short actions that get the job done. For example the quality of puzzles are all and all good but some out of nowhere can be use violence as a means of getting around so sometimes it’s simple sometimes it’s not! I would also say that the first hour of the game is possibly the best, it kind of gets lazy later on and feels as if they were being rushed, from what I heard the game was being developed in quite a lot of time so that’s also understandable. Either way it’s filled with what makes a “dystopian” (I put that in quotes because honestly it’s barely hinted) cyberpunk noir great, especially shown in it’s amazing soundtrack which is probably the most cyberpunk soundtrack to ever be made.Whatever all of the plot of this game may mean you cannot argue the fact that it is one of the best looking cyberpunk dark themed games with some really violent and sexual scenes that give you chills for how absurdly dark this game can be. And I completely recommend it considering it is actually one of the best short point and click adventure games I have played even if it might seem silly for some this as HONEST as it gets.


Dungeon Chaos

Dungeon Chaos

By: Jo-Remi

Year: 2008

Genre: Freeware, Run and Gun

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Duke Nukem 3D

Duke Nukem 3D

By: 3D Realms

Year: 1998

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Don’t Look Back

Don’t Look Back

By: Terry Cavanagh

Year: 2009

Genre: Flash, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






EDGE

EDGE

By: Two Tribes

Year: 2011

Genre: Puzzle

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger



Edmund

Edmund

By: Farmergnome

Year: 2009

Genre: Non-Theory

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger



Elevator: Source

Elevator Source

By: PIXELTAIL GAMES

Year: 2012

Genre: Non-Theory

Length: 1 hour

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+

An interesting mod for GMOD that requires 2 games that are: GMOD and Episode 2 of Half-Life 2. The concept of the game let alone is pretty funny, the game is kind of a elevator simulator, you wait inside a elevator until you’re room shows up, you have the option to check your watch out or cough awkwardly at someone’s face… But is this really what the game is all about? No, there is something more than waiting in the elevator! The elevator is sort of a purgatory or universal-teleportation device. While you are inside the Elevator the door will open to surreal and hilarious locations such as the prehistoric times or a black and white movie, I don’t wan’t to spoil that much but the interaction and the way you can view these are amazing, some rooms will have a guest cpu that will pretty much enter you’re elevator, some rooms will interact with the elevator inside, and some are just plain hilarious entertainment that are pretty funny! After standing around going though room by room, you finally reach your destination which is pretty lovely in the matter of fact; it’s a sort of a hotel room with a nice view, good looks, lots of chairs, a small kitchen and PLUS it’s full of interactive objects you can play with! There is a TV which you can browse youtube and watch with your friends funny videos on the screen, a pool table which you can play pool, and a slot machine where you can bet money. Once you choose to go back to the Elevator from there the game will repeat itself and there not that much to do after reaching your destination. And that’s sort of a sad fact of this game! After the first time you gone through all of them there isn’t that much fun in going through them all again. I also recommend going through all this fun with a friend (or friends) considering this game includes Cooperation, and it’s a great big laugh with you 2 waiting in the elevator. I forgot to tell you this but, there is also a SLAP button which is pretty funny but it’s cool off takes TOO much time SERIOUSLY, it takes about 5 minutes to simply recharge you’re slapping action.

Elevator: Source is a unique and hilarious experience, and it's best enjoyed with a friend, out though the game is a bit repetitive after the first time you play it and its replayability isn’t that much, it’s still worth the first laughs you’ll get from this elevator’s ups and downs!

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

Enough Plumbers

Enough Plumbers

By: Glen Forrester & Arthur Lee

Year: 2010

Genre: Flash, Platformer

Length: 1 hour

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Enviro-Bear 2000: Operation: Hibernation

Enviro-Bear 2000

By: Justin Smith

Year: 2009

Genre: Simulator

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Eufloria

Eufloria

By: Alex May, Rudolf Kremers

Year: 2009

Genre: RTS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Exmortis

Exmortis

By: Leffler Web Design

Year: 2004

Genre: Flash, Point and Click

Length: 30 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




F.E.A.R.

F.E.A.R.

By: Monolith Productions

Year: 2005

Genre: FPS

Length: 10 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin

F E A R 2 Project Origin

By: Monolith Productions

Year: 2009

Genre: FPS

Length: 8 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Eye

Um... It's good but, I can tell you from the entire apple batch from where you could of found F.E.A.R. this was in the same basket full of apples, it is as red as the first apple you eaten from the batch yet of course it is not that apple with as much sweet juice and it has a bit of those smudged dark eras that you cut off with a little knife so you can actually eat the apple without vomiting. F.E.A.R. 2 is indeed a sequel, yet for a sequel it doesn't improve much of its predecessor gameplay and isn't as like I’ve said before FRESH and unique. Also they took away running what gives? I mean really, there is nothing that frustrates me more than a game that doesn't give you an option to play faster in a result to trying to maintain the player controlled through the linear locations, but really the idea of removing running has seriously made me frustrated throughout the whole game why would they do this. Anyways, the game in general ends up being more or less of a more colorful remake of F.E.A.R. where instead of grey and white hospitals, research labs and most places people go to work if you have a high degree in education it has a fancy hotel, an apocalyptic destroyed city that is mostly orange yet has a bit variation here and there and a kindergarten school that apparently has the scariest part of the game which is weirdly a grainy film playing images… Also yeah I forgot about that this was a horror game isn’t it? Well this is a really big problem when it comes to me talking about this because personally I don’t feel fictional fear of almost anything yet I do know how to praise it when if it’s done correctly and F.E.A.R. 2 is amazingly stupid when it comes to trying to be scary, the first F.E.A.R game had a very good amount of original ideas on how to scare the player and had it way more frequently actually making them interesting to experience jump scare or not, while F.E.A.R. 2 all it has is possibly the worst idea to add inside the game which is add quick time events whenever Alma tries to grab you and it happens again and again and again without a single hint of not being done differently and other than that the scares are obvious, the gameplay mechanics work quite well but as fast paced as the original F.E.A.R. or exciting which disappoints me, the slow mechanic this time makes things too easy and not as entertaining as the first game yet they have added more gore features such as exploding heads which is a good add in, they also added cover system which is dumb because your head is never actually covered yet the interaction with objects does make me happy for a while as does the same easter eggs, violent dialog and in general funny moments the game gives you.  The AI doesn’t seem as smart yet they aren’t that dumb and compared to the amount of guns you had in F.E.A.R. you have a little amount and all of the interesting ones run out of ammo quickly so you’re up to using the whole game AUTOMATIC WEAPON 1. And its cousin you later get AUTOMATIC WEAPON 2. There are mecha segments which are very easy as you simply stroll around and blast everyone as a new feature but it’s not a very interesting feature for very long.  

The game is literally just a toned down version of F.E.A.R. all around and yes it could have been worse but heck it could have been better too. The game wasn’t bad to the point It’s a shame to the franchise but it’s just a bit too unoriginal while trying to be F.E.A.R. and after 4 years of hype they could of done more.  

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5

Fallout

Fallout

By: Interplay Entertainment

Year: 1997

Genre: Turn-Based Strategy, RPG

Length: 15 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

I feel as if Fallout is an underrated contender as one of the most boring and anti-climactic games to ever be made, I mean, to begin, Fallout is convoluted, you’ll begin a game with a series of options which make everything seem complicated when it isn’t even really in actuality to that, perhaps this game was created before a simple fluent way of accomplishing all actions was made, but THIS IS from 1997, a very good year in gaming so I DIGRESS, by convoluted I mean that to even be able to walk you must somehow know without any explanation that you have to right click to change modes between your character, from moving, to attacking, to whatever else. It’ll take you a while to realize that in options there is an option to make things a little more faster (just a little), also when you click a point of which you want to go to multiple times you can see your character jittering around, clearly this game was designed in a way of which it is meant to be played like a board game which makes up for bad fast-paced fluent design and game feel (There is none). When you click on a location to move your character it is a programmed tile, so there is no programmed plane for you to control your character to speak of.  It’s hard to recollect another game of which starts you out with a character that takes 1 minutes (and I’ve counted) to go from point A to point B, using a limited RPG resource (Action points if you are in combat mode) in a little cave of rats, only to put you outside in a world where wherever you go, you are wasting time (Both in the mechanic of the game and in real life), if you are lucky enough to have no random encounters of an enemy that is clearly ahead of your level you’ll reach a boring city, to even know what to do in a city is beyond many, especially if you didn’t knew at first that you had to have intelligence high to be able to ask questions (Generic questions at that), the design of knowing what even to do in Fallout is the worst I’ve ever seen, to the point of which you need to have a Walkthrough telling you exactly what to do step by step or else you’ll waste too much time or die with a random event, it stops being the “free-roam” and FILLED with options game It’s being commercialized by people stuck in the 80s where they were enjoying their Commodore 64 game with graphics similar to one of a calculator.

Fallout has a very interesting and original universe and lore which spans to the point it has its own bible but it is presented so dully in Fallout, in fact Fallout which is supposed to be filled with so much lore isn’t filled with any at all, the game does a horrible job at presenting itself it’s world, all of its locations are lifeless and there are few places to go, sometimes there isn’t even music playing, fallout’s soundtrack is absolutely the most terrible ambient out there, it is just wind noises or old electronic devices muffled in the distance, it is seriously annoying and the only actual song available was the Khan’s theme song, when you are just asking a simple character, the answers and questions are generic, there is no interesting feature, no funny input and all of the quests available in fallout is Go to a place, get something or kill somebody then leave, conversation boxes are almost impossible to navigate, any mistake of going to another topic will probably give you only the option to end the conversation, the “Ask Something” feature is borderline useless as sometimes not even the things they mention can be asked and none of the extra material you can ask in advance is actually necessary, the moral system within these conversations is also pretty terrible, there are few good and bad options but being rude once (which isn`t even all that rude compared to what some boring CPU can say later) will completely ruin your relationship with a CPU, with all of the blandest characters in a game I feel as if the worst feature at the ones that don’t even talk to you, there are so many CPU in fallout at times and all of them have the same ugly models so nobody really is distinctive , it takes 15 seconds to go move your character to the other character in his awkward zig-zag tile-based patterns that you’ll say “Ok, maybe I don’t need to talk with all of the 30 people in this building even with the chance of there being an interesting one that’ll have either CGI in his conversation box or a mission because most of the results are they just saying ‘Hello.’ or some other dumb phrase like “I love science!’, the SPECIAL CPU that gets their own CGI is boring too, they don`t say much all of which they say is pretty generically written and it`s only good feature is that it is well voiced, the only well written character in the entire game is the overseer and the final boss, the least worst that could happen when you meet a random CPU is that they have a mini “game”, that is the they give you a menu option that’s like “Wanna play cards?” you click it and it says “You won!”, possibly in comparison to everything that might be the most exciting thing Fallout has to offer, what is probably the funniest thing about the CPU of Fallout is that, many of them sleep standing up (right), the boring task of interacting with people also applies to looting bodies and every single thing you navigate in the game, there is no seamlessly transition or fast actions that goes to one to the other, every single action in this game is a drag to accomplish, for example: you have to drag and drop items every time you get something, sometimes it’ll won’t go into the menu because the hitbox of the item is obscured by how big the item can be, not only that but no shortkeys at all to facilitate getting all items or automatically grab all of a pack of a single items, which makes finding 10000 cap bottles in the middle of the desert as a random encounter not A GOOD THING, you don’t even need all of those caps considering that the banter system is always a mystery and nothing really has a set price and how much people you can steal from or kill that the currency becomes useless to begin with, much like most of the random encounters, random encounters is supposedly one of the most interesting features in this game considering anything could happen, it ranges from enemies that aren’t your level, enemies that are below your level annnnd unfunny Easter eggs, sure these Easter eggs can be a bit funny at first but once you get the same Easter egg over and over it stops being funny, I had to meet talking cows for over 10 times and SADLY encounter a reference to a nerdy British television show.

You wanna know why these get irritating? Because any time you get hit by a random encounter your put in this random square that was completely ruining your flow to going from point a to point b VERY slowly by picking a location on the map, to get out that square and continue exploring you got slowly wait for your character to go to the edge so that this allows the screen to show you pan a little more, click next to the “leave the area” lighten zone because you can’t at first already click there to begin with, THEN leave the location, and then you’ll be able to return to exploring a dessert with ONLY 12 PLACES AND ONLY 6 PLACES THAT ARE REMOTELY INTERESTING OR IMPORTANT, one of the biggest issues of Fallout, the one many keep mentioning and the one that makes people stop playing is the lack of consistency, progression, purpose BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY DETERMINATION in the main quest, you begin the game trying to look for a water chip, that’s the main goal but you get no hints where to wander off other than an empty vault which has a dead end but once you click to go to that empty vault, they creatively made a way once you cross, you’ll find a village in the path, this makes you think “Oh, this path will give me directions and proceed with the story”, well that’s WRONG, not a single hint, you’ll have to randomly wander to places with the random chance of you finding the main quest by accident and go “Oh so that’s where the quest went to” everything else, is useless and very lifeless. Once you find the water chip, you’ll complete the first main quest and you’ll be hit with another one which is finding the source of mutants, once you do that, it’s the end of the game, pretty short huh? Well it would have been even shorter if navigating through it wasn’t slow and painful suffering.

Other than that there’s a chance you go inside a random dungeon, explore it at all and realize, you wasted your time because it has a dead-end and nothing of worth has been done except the fact that you got some experience points by killing some rats across the way, it really is a fucked up thing that exploration in this game is the absolute worst when it’s supposed to be the highlight, in exploration Adventure elements are forced out of nowhere with nothing really pointing to that idea other tiny objects you can barely notice, nothing feels noticeable to make these adventure elements feel good, but to explain how they work is like this, these sections require skills.

Alright, bring up the skill menu, use the skill  and then wait for the choppy animation (The same animation used for everything from healing, to stealing, to using a door, to using a computer, to hacking a computer, to lockpicking), if the object you were using the skill on was supposed to be used, then maybe you’ll get something like 20 experience points, the act of bringing up the skill menu to do everything becomes the most life-taking series of actions ever, sometimes a door will be trapped, locked and will be need to be opened, raise the skill menu, untrap the door, then get the skill menu again, unlock the door, then… Open it also, wait for every single time your character does the duck and twirl the hands action, you’ll have to do this a thousand more times, good luck losing interest in what’s behind that door because chances are here: It’s completely optional, it`ll be a tiny notification in your notification window that’s quirky and stands out, it’s 1 phrase saying “You fail to learn anything”, it has a dead ending or, if this is The Glow, which I’ll talk a little about independently, it will be one of the only places with actual lore to present. This has to be said alone, The Glow is an interesting place in Fallout because it seems like the only place that tried a little more with its forced adventure elements because if you try to interact with something, it’ll actually have content and at the end of it, you’ll learn about Fallout a little more, it’s ironically funny that the most lifeless place in the entire game has the most writing of it all.

To even use skills you have to be out of combat, and that is some of the worst rules presented because to even get out of combat sometimes you need to clear an entire room of enemies, I had to kill so many people just to unlock a single door the combat mode in this game is absolutely broken and ruins your chances of going about your life. Doors... Are your worst enemy in this entire game, not having lower stats and missing every hit you take but DOORS, the isometric perspective in fallout the absolute worse, if you are behind a wall, a glow will show your character, this doesn’t work for this perspective because this glow showing your character will obscure anything in front of you, the door will become invisible, it’s pretty sure with all of these flawed features, navigation is fucking hell, if not the worst thing about fallout, is being able to navigate in this clunky half-assed isometric perspective that requires you to specifically click things over and over, door by door. Design is just the worst thing Fallout has to offer, everything related to Design is bad to the point the final dungeon will have money in it without any real reason to come back and use it (considering my commentary on it); towns are a struggle to navigate due to limitations and you never really know if you are going to a different part of a town or if it’s to outside of it, either way it takes so long to load and to walk to each location. And every single location somehow looks the same, same dirty, same gray roof tops, same broken vault design, all tiles are re-used to an extreme point even if there is only 12 locations to visit.

If you are lucky, than the random things you did inside that pointless dungeon may have triggered a quest without you even knowing, some RPGs handle the idea of you doing random stuff without you being personally presented really well by saying something like “Oh… You already went there? Cool.” But FALLOUT IS NOT ONE OF THOSE GAMES THAT THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING, in fact this is probably the RPG that thinks less about its players if anything, if you start a conversation with someone you NEVER MET and if you did the quest accidently THEY’LL BEGIN A CONVERSATION AS IF YOU’VE MET AND IT’LL SEEM REALLY AWKWARD because it just puts you in a middle of a conversation and you don’t even really know the topic of which has started, ugh it’s so BAD, it confuses the shit out of me, every single thing related to quests in Fallout is absolutely terrible, here’s a linear list of things that are terrible about quests in fallout: They don’t update correctly on your pipboy, if you speak with the person that shortly before congratulated you for completing a quest again (maybe because you wanted more info on the quest you got because it DOESN’T SHOW UP ON THE QUEST SECTION OF THE PIPBOY) they’ll act as if you never took the quest EVER completely bringing an end to the invisible quest you got, quests like I said before are generic, the dialog in between these quests are also generic, navigating through menus to even get a quest is bad and none of these quests give you that many options or change much in the long run. For a roleplaying game that happens to be famous for options, there is so few, the main options all have to do with character creation and it is a “pick your poison” kind of deal, any low stats and it will make life way harsher as a joke, any medium stats and every battle will be a gamble. Everything is just a little twist when in other RPG elements would actually mean something, it is obvious that the gameplay is so unbalanced it is limited to only 1 form of playing the game. The only replayability factor the fans of this game talk about come from not knowing the perfect formula to being able to do everything there is to do, not that it would matter considering how nothing is fulfilling and how slow it is to accomplish something.

Fallout’s main thing, or at least what people lie to themselves is, is combat, it is the least satisfactory combat I’ve ever seen, it has been observed that it is a very slow turn based game on top of invisible tiles of course but I feel as if I’ve played CIV games older and more straight to the point enjoyable than this. XCOM manages to be faster than this, between each and every actions a SLOW transition of your little hub changes, your character does a wimpy sad animation and that causes a little damage. Just, take some action points to move close to your character, punch em… If it doesn’t miss, it lays a punch and… Look at them fall… Yay! What is known as the highlight feature of Fallout, its entire gimmick that kind of put it into fame is the Vault’s system, by right clicking on the slot window on your hub you can change the way your weapon shoots, one of those options is the vault system that uses more action points but allows you to aim more precisely at a body part, this allows you to cripple certain points, that is the entire strategy of the entire game, right clicking on the icon again will allow you to either reload manually or single shot without any concentration or burst if you have the option. This entire system seems like ordinary strategy-game but I’ve seen stuff like this be done way FASTER, more balanced and more satisfactory, on a plane of which actually makes sense rather than an invisible one that your character zig-zag around.

Shinaz Star Rating 2 out of 5

It feels short, it controls awfully and its content is bland. But on top of that it also crashes, the rare fresh sight of conversations with CGI aren’t actually all that good, there’s a lot of death animations with lots of gore that might be worth a chuckle of how silly they are, the variation of items and enemies are cool but feel like a burden, maybe there’s a chance that this game is innovative, but it is overshadowed by how convoluted and over redundant how many actions it takes to do a simple thing, there’s a chance the Ultima series is worse but that’s not to mention how many games can be better than Fallout, Fallout came out after several games that have done a better job at being a better RPG, Shadowrun for SNES as an example managed to have an intriguing battle system with isometric shooting, smooth controls with cursor selection and adventure elements done correctly, an actual sense of progression and variation of exciting things unfolding, good immense amount of dialog and characters, lots of purpose and actual effort put in, and IF WE WERE TO DO A MORE FAIR COMPARISSON, 1997 HAD A LOT OF BETTER STRAGEGIC games with smoother gameplay as well while being more complex for example: X-Com Apocalypse, Age of Empire, Dungeon keeper, Red Alert, Diablo, Fragile Alliance. Fallout has not a single fucking excuse for being so choppy and so bad when so many good games have before, during and after it. Fallout is a perfect example bad design, badly planned out events and non-satisfactory gameplay. It doesn’t feel well to be neither in the RPG genre nor the Tile-based strategy genre considering it fails of both of them by being dull in comparison to the recent releases of those genres, it is only better in comparison to the very first of the kind and it doesn’t hold up to standards of fluent, well designed with tons of effort games.

Fallout 2

Fallout 2

By: Interplay Entertainment

Year: 1998

Genre: Isometric Shooter, RPG

Length: 30/80 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

To give Fallout 2 credit, Fallout 2 is like a cure of which uses a little amount of the original disease but weakens it so that the player can succumb it. That’s how medication works in real life too, Fallout 2 is basically it seems what fallout fans seem to be talking about in the first place and perhaps due to blind nostalgia may have confused the both, it fixes everything the last one tried to do and actually accomplishes some memorable moments and introduces you to an exciting world, unlike Fallout that starts you out nowhere, this one already starts with a plot a thousand times more interesting where the main character of the last game pioneered a tribal village and you are the chosen one to find his vault, and battle starts right ahead in a typical well designed dungeon that actually uses puzzles and in a way teaches you how most of the game works like, once you go out, you can already notice how faster mouse response as in things happen the instant you command it to do now, and sound design has more impact too INCLUDING A BETTER DESIGNED INVENTORY WITH A TAKE ALL OPTION AND A MOUSE WHEEL TO NAVIGATE, you’ll also notice this game is more detailed, every single thing you inspect has quirky dialog of its own and CPU now are actually interesting to which everyone has something to say, dialog for about everything is more fresh and elegant, even the baseless menu-based gambling mini “games” are more complex and even have sound effects, everything now seems more important and joyful to experience rather than a horrible endurance, this means, more characters to each and every town making the game less lifeless and filled with people to actually interact with, in comparison to the first game it’s basically like this: First town of the game had absolutely nothing, second game has evil twins, a mentally deficient tribal taking care of cows, a gecko hunter trapped in a radioactive cave, a fat merchant that helps you with the main quest, a prostitution ring, a rat god and crazy children that annoyingly ask you questions, basically we went from a town with nothing to a town with quite a lot. Not to mention there are items scattered around for you to grab too which would help with the pacing if it weren’t ruined later.

Needless to say, Fallout 2 is something the first wasn’t, it’s captivating. The captivating plot that actually motivates you to do something rather than a quest onto nowhere like the last game, not to say that this one is pretty out there too but it actually has a line of thought out events to guide you along the way, if you keep doing quests and exploring you’ll eventually find hints, and yes, quests, in plural, the last game would have perhaps only 1 quest per town, this one actually has 5 or 3 which actually update correctly on your pip boy and if you do them in advance dialog was written just in case such situation could occur, basically BASIC EXPECTANCIES OF AN RPG ARE ACTUALLY BEING USED, fallout 2 shows really well how it is to have actual effort in the world you are making (UNLIKE THE FIRST ONE), and ON TOP OF THAT, WAAAAAY MORE PLACES TO EXPLORE WITH THEIR OWN INTERESTING QUIRKS, the triple of what you could in the last game, just everything has been amplified… EXCEPT OF COURSE MY INTEREST IN ITS REPETITIVE COMBAT.  

The combat has more options too with more secondary ways to use a weapon but sadly it is still the same combat of the first game, even when speeded up, it’s a lil bit more satisfying now due to the overhaul but you’ll still get bored quickly of it.  You can get an ally-character much more quicker in this game and they’ll even guide you the way to the main plot of the game but after the first 3 towns the game reaches a steep in difficulty, because apparently the ants and rats were the least to expect, here is what comes the main thing of Fallout of which I should of mentioned in my past review briefly but this second game with its charm made me realize it deeper, essentially to be good at fallout you must fucking grind the shit out of it, I’ve checked many forums on the subject and all of them point to one thing, grind grind grind! This is a game that is not dependent at skill at all but endurance to how many times you can load and save state to pickpocket someone for 10 experience points, it is a test of time, of how much time you are willing to waste with this game and as a general rule of good design, that makes this game officially horrible.

This game can actually be kind of good, it definitely has some steps in better directions including, actually adding characters but I haven’t decided yet if that is only because I played one of the most boring outdated games of all time and anything in comparison seems like a breath of fresh air even if said air is radiated.  It is tiresome too and the gameplay no matter what gets old very fast for you to waste more than 4 hours on (Again, I marathon this series so to play 2 Fallouts in a row is to essentially die of boredom). It definitely fixes some issues, but still has still so many due to using the same exact engine, for example, the walls in its wretched isometric view are still an issue but on the other hand towns now show green as another part of a city and yellow as outside so that people do not accidentally leave the towns, not to mention also that the towns actually have things to do in them now. But there are still bugs and issues!!

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5

No matter how much of an improvement this game can be, it still bread left out for the birds at night who for some odd reason are going through the effort of getting food at night (That’s a representation of how slow the pacing of these games can be), no matter what it still is a pretty generic and boring representation of the strategy genre and if anything it makes me thirst for a better game like X-COM (Which I don’t even like that much but at least is more in depth and satisfying than move character to location, swing, miss, miss).

 

Fallout 3

Fallout 3

By: Bethesda Game Studios

Year: 2008

Genre: FPS, RPG

Length: 300 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger



Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout New Vegas

By: Obsidian Entertainment

Year: 2010

Genre: FPS, RPG

Length: 300 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Far Cry 3  Editor's Choice

Far Cry 3
Art

By: Ubisoft

Year: 2012

Genre: FPS, RPG

Length: 35 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Eye
Heart

AMERICA FUCK YEAH! Possibly on of the best sandbox FPS with RPG elements in quite a while, many people with obsessions to comparing games to other games that has nothing to do with each other need to learn something about  a game being completely different and ACTUALLY GOOD. The game story takes place about 20 year old something unmature people going to Island during their vacation, the island ends up on a criminal island full of pirates that capture them, you have escape and you find yourself with the rakyat a tribe that somewhat helps you find your friends. Look for starters, this game is AMAZING… And I was actually pretty surprised with the perfect length because most games with similar gameplay tend to go on and on where this one has its usually special amount, which is also justified due to the effort put in every single byte of data done for it. The combat is obviously something to be TAKE DOWN here it is surprisingly really good and that’s not really expected in various sandbox games, it has this more or less system where you many ways to kill a single person and maybe do key chains about it! The sad thing is this game has allot of RPG elements so in order to become really good with these things you must level up, yet the game also uses this as a mean of symbolism for the character that grows more powerful and more powerful and going insane more and more. Leveling up was never a chore for me in this game due to the fact that gaining experience points in this game takes special takes, depending on which way you kill an enemy you may gain more experience points and it makes this experience system way much better than let’s say HALF OF GAMES EXISTING due to the fact it makes you work for your experience point and it feels so rewarding when you do manage to make special tasks. Gameplay in general is amazing, experience and melee combat has already been discussed while basically we have to say about the rest of the game such as the whole sandbox elements, first of all the island where you explore is beautiful and full of secrets you wouldn’t see at first such many underwater temples, some places on the map need to be unlocked by going in various radar towers that need some platforming to get to the top, other than that by colonizing enemy bases you can make the locations greener (instead of red) and have more friends roaming around rather than enemies that are patrolling the locations. Gun play is very fun sometimes with many guns having equipped extras and paints you can customize your gun with, it may seem there are a few guns at first but you can easily unlock more guns by collecting items and or maybe clearing some missions. The games items kind of remind me how Legend of Zelda works, you start with basically one of the lamest equipment ever and to upgrade how much guns you carry, how much ammo you carry, how much items or simply how much money you carry you must craft I’m just in general surprised at how good this game ended up being, it is really rare for games of its kind to be this well done, something I got more surprised was pretty much the cutscenes, the acting is subpar, if you heard of this game you mostly heard of how insane the characters act and how memorable the dialog is due to them screaming at your face in first person view. I don’t want to spoil that much about the game because I want people to be as surprised as I was when playing it, but I will keep in mind that the game does have some surreal moments and anything like ANYTHING could happen. Wild variety of transportations and ways to go, from ships on the sea, to cars on the ground and gliders in the air there are so many ways to go from point a to point b and sometimes it will be joyful you would be flying when you could of simply fast-travel to the location you wanted to go. Back to the plot though, like I’ve said there really artistic in many ways, dialog, acting and amazing animation and of course very memorable characters but sometimes I feel as if the characters could be a bit more well developed, to be precise the main characters! The main problem with the main characters (that is, the group of people that fell on the island during their vacation) is mostly how convoluted they are and how they usually ruin the interference and atmosphere the game is trying to portray, usually because they are city people who happen to be the obnoxious yolo shirt wearing kind in the middle of the jungle. But there are times when the characters get a bit unrealistic most of the times and sometimes the game wants you to make to think that these people deserved being trap in the jungle. All characters respectively though (mind the writers of this character development) become someone completely different by the end due to the traumas they had… Except the stoned one… Apparently getting stoned makes you REALLY that dumb (which is obviously lazy writing) The main character Brody is a perfect example on “wow how to put a finger on this?” mostly because he is a character that was made BOTH for trying to represent the player and BOTH a person that is going insane with the happenings he is experiencing on the Island. Mind me, buuuuuut Jason Brody in this game is adorably dorky and watching that cuteness and stuff go like “I’M GONNA KILL EM ALL” gets pretty weird! Soundtrack is really enjoyable which is rare because it conceives of various electronic genres I can’t stand most of the time (cough) dubstep (cough) and a neat returning synth beat that reminds me of 80s suspense movies, other than that the theme song and other tracks are beautifully done and have varied instruments and another thing about the dubstep is that it’s not even that bad honestly, even if a really cheesy dubstep starts to play as a joke I managed to tolerate, the WUBs used in action scenes go really well and all I can say this is probably the best game I’ll play with dubstep. It also makes me happy how action packed this game is, it’s got every single action FPS sequence on the list for me, exploring, stealth missions, rail shooter missions and just insane explosions everywhere.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

Far Cry 3 Ended up pretty much being one of my favorite games of 2012, and considering usually my best games of the year are usually amounted of what perfects all of the gaming ideals from a year, and this has it all as you can see, artistic merits, great action gameplay, explorable world and a great length. 

Fez

Fez

By: Polytron Corporation

Year: 2011

Genre: Non-Theory, Platformer

Length:'' 6 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Oh boy… Where do I start on talking about what I consider atleast one of the most controversial games for me, I will try and try to take the fact out that Phil Fish won’t interfere with this review at all but let’s brace the fact, it kind of does when they are isn’t much features to talk about the game! I mean, talking about this game and how disappointing it is amazingly more interesting than talking about the game itself but let’s keep that for last. This used to be a game I was quite waiting for, I was thinking of playing it but as the last years where coming of the hype, it was only confirmed for XBOX. Now that it came out on PC I can experience it with all of its horrors.  Ok for starters as you seen I had hopes for it, in fact I still can feel the potential it had, but my pity is none at the end, a great word to present this game is “exaggerated”, it gives you this message really clearly in the first seconds, like it doesn’t have a sense of timing it just tries really hard throughout the entire game and for one of the first times I felt overwhelmed to a point I disliked the insane amount of effects going on. Fez will always be known for me as the video game with the personality of a screen-saver. After presentation upon presentations you will find you are actually playing the game, and then you think to yourself… This is it? All that for this? There is nothing more, nothing less, some might consider this game to have puzzles, what this game has isn’t puzzles, it’s just regular platforming with a 3d gimmick, there is no enemies, no excitement, anything but places and slow climbing. There is somewhat of a penalty put inside the game that is almost non-existent! The penalties are these: Falling to the ground, these penalties come from only one specific action of the game, which is going too fast, the game is really slow and you have no choice than to go slow and obey the rules of the game.  If you jump off something without the perfect timing you die, if you simply create a short cut and fall simply to the ground you die due to fall damage, fall damage used to be such an issue with people? Why isn’t this game being judged for the fall damage it has? The penalty of dying isn’t that strong as well so why not take out the fall damage and give me a bigger penalty which is me falling to the bottom of the map, but no, I am simply revived at the start of the “puzzle”. The games goal is to find pieces of 3d reality itself, the plot is nonexistent and I hardly touched but it is basically you trying to fix the universe because you broke it in the first place by gaining 3d powers in a 2d land. This could have been somewhat ground breaking or impressive some 10 years ago but I have seen so many games with the manipulation of perceptive nowadays this game doesn’t even do it as greatly as other games do. But going back to the goal, you find pieces, it’s either hide or seek game or you just find them by jumping onto stuff and getting them in the easiest way possible, it’s always the same tricks there are hardly any other interesting puzzles some which are quite impossible to do actually when it doesn’t try to be as simple as it is. I do understand the universe inside this game is broken but for a game about 3d perceptive it kind of breaks its own rule quite allot. You enter a small place and find yourself in a big place, I have played fantasy games with better map design than just point a to point b, I know in all honestly that this sounds a bit nitpicking but like I said before, it’s a game about perspective and they already didn’t do that well. Interesting enough as hard as the game forces you to use the gimmick quite allot, there are times where you don’t even need to use it which is a breath of fresh air once in a while. The only redeeming quality of the entire game is the grahpics, which is obviously what they were going for, but even for its graphics it isn’t really impressive, out though I somewhat enjoyed the times such as the rain effects or the fact that it has a sun to day system. Which is what I kept saying back about potential, the graphics are there but it never amounts to anything in terms of gameplay, it doesn’t do anything with its vision. Music is repetitive, it’s like those annoying town music you keep hearing in a low budget RPG game but with only a few notes repeated over and over again, if it isn’t for that issue its mostly because of the overbuse of ambient “music”. Which is clearly someone holding one key for 3 seconds and then putting some other 3 keys ahead of it?  I guess with this all being said, we could say a little about the creator of this game, in a nutshell is one of the most vile pretentious people ever to create a video game, he is a rude person and it only makes me feel better for not enjoying his game, it doesn’t help at all with the existence of this product considering the fact that it was made by Phil Fish. Phil Fish is against what video games are basically and he has gone to the point of immaturely shoving it on people’s faces he won an award that was not worthy of him. I seriously hope nobody sees him as a represented of video games of any sort, In fact watching the documentary “Indie Game: The Movie” truly made me hate him even more.  And made me consider “Indie Game: Movie” one of the worst documentaries I have ever seen. How is that for a review inside a review?

When people talk about this game, I feel as if they are doing it blindly or as this game is manipulative as it is, makes them think they’re having a good time. An example is that everything so far in which I said is the complete opposite with people, and with no factual accusation at all.  A example, many people say they enjoy this game because it reminds them of games back then… Fez is anything but what could have been considered a game back then, It’s too exaggerated to be considered simple, and it’s too simple too be considered fun. It doesn’t have anything in its defense or anything in its offence! Basically it’s in the 0, it’s neither negative nor positive it’s not modern or oldschool it’s not even an accurate representation of what a video game should be. It is NOTHING. It’s just simply incredibly sad of how the lack of quality features causes something to be so bad. This is kind of a new level of bad where getting into I’ll give it that. The only thing the game excels and succeeds so well is the fact that it wastes your time so much, every presentation, jump or slight error is there to keep you from going faster, and throughout the game I feel as if I could go faster if it wasn’t for these limitations the game itself is giving me.  Fez doesn’t try at all to entertain the player, it’s just there and the game wants the player to be satisfied with what it has… It just doesn’t give you anything. I guess it can be compared to you know what’s considered bullshit art nowadays, you know that painting with only red in it and basically, in that case, the art forces you to enjoy it, it is not the art itself that gives that joy, It’s you trying really hard to find the enjoyment out of it. Video games shouldn’t follow this formula. Video games are not about the entertainment the player gets, it’s about the game giving the entertainment… Kind of like Christmas in way.

Shinaz Star Rating 0 out of 5


Fez ends up being exactly every example on how not to make a video game, it's not special, it's boring, it has no charm, it has no gameplay and is hardly anything remarkable. Everything related to this product is either a sad story or a sadistic tale told by the dead, nothing has came out of this in any quality and it just made things worse. Possibly the worst video game ever made. No harsh feelings though.  

Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII

By: Square

Year: 1997/2012

Genre: JRPG, Best

Length: 40/90 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Art
Tear
Note
Eye
Heart

Final Fantasy VII is a special game, there basically none like it. (At least for the time being and even after it went into different path that video games tried to surpass the innovation but failed or simplify and fail as well) Not for its history but there are not as much potential games being made like it, not enough games with its ambition or originality. It transcends all of what is expected and surpasses all basically. This game is not overrated or neutral in my book, in fact it is indeed considered underrated now for me, it’s been a while since people experience it’s raw power but it is still is to this day one of the best games ever made. . Of course the stands of its title as the best game ever made are still pretty known yet dismissed which is very sad because this is an overachiever of an experience ESPECIALLY compared with the rest of its series and many of the genres.  It’s faster than what its series is normally is; its gameplay is simpler and funnier, having personally one of the best mechanics ever, the materia. Especially considering this is one of the best games I’ve played I recommend it to anyone really. It’s just a nice smooth experience even if you aren’t the type to play big games to the end; I really recommend this, even I someone who cannot support this type of length it is still a game that every second manages to show me something cool. It is basically my saving grace on long JRPGs and perhaps video games in general. The gameplay is one of the most mechanically best I’ve seen, simple and straight to the point unlike many other games that take a long time to get to the basic of it, this one gives you it all at full front and doesn’t hesitate to make it entertaining at all times. Magic is simple to use by any character using the materia system which is the best system ever, they’re these little magic pearls that once equipped within your weapon can be used, they can also be combined with slots that are combined slots which you can make combos with such as (A “Cure” materia with an “All” materia makes it possible to use that magic on all). On top of this the materia can be leveled up as you battle to be more efficient by gaining , not only this, all characters within the game are extremely useful even without the power to equip any materia you wish from battle power to healing! Every character has a Limit Break which is when they get hit a couple of times and can’t take it anymore, they will release a power blow that is mostly based on their characteristic, for example Tifa Lockhart will use wrestling moves done by a roulette a system, and Aeris’s first limit will be to give some health to the 3 of your team.

Cloud

The entire game’s backgrounds are made with these amazingly animated CGI pictures that are filled with detail and are always cool to look at, it has beaten any texture or tile pack in its genre of how memorable and incredible it’s visuals are. Not only that but a fair share of interactive cutscenes blending in with the game’s models, an insane amount of in-battle animations with over a thousand enemies with their unique attack patterns and styles and in general lots of effort put into to the limit.

I used to dislike this game due to my short attention span I grew to notice how much it has to offer especially compared to others of the genre; it has indeed a wider variation of options while remaining simple and straight to the point, from dialog, to character selection, to how many weapons and powers you can acquire, different styles to take on an enemy entirely there are various choices to do on side missions side too and you can collect rare items as you explore a giant world, collect more, experiment with powers, there are multiple statues that are negative and positive, a round of elemental powers given to about anything in the game including actual weapons you receive, accessories that facilitate you by nullifying certain types of times and just a huge number of other statistics that yes while describing seems complex but seems very natural and simple within the game, all this to discover new ways to make gameplay easier and this is all done in a balanced manner quickly.. It’s a bit long to go into detail about each content you can go to but as an example there’s a materia that allows you to turn enemies into items.

Buster Sword

The plot is amazingly crafted and designed; it is filled with foreshadowing, flashbacks and not an adventure that manages to keep continuing without any breaks and always a bigger goal in front.  Out though yes everything within the game is almost as If a satire of how simple it is, mostly everything is based of clichés and yes it’s mostly comical and never 100% reassured (I mean c,mon by this point you would tell yourself “Oh I guess the magic goop heals all of the plot’s wounds” to be honest or “Must be symbolic” because really It’s a just science fantasy with a more serious turn), but that only comes within the standards of nitpicking, I mean honestly, if you were to go to the single first bone of this game realistically you would think to yourself “Isn’t ecoterrorism flawed?”, but don’t worry they later on in the game kind of regrets what he did to save the planet SO HEY Plot filling exists at a high level in this game, this game can truly sustain itself in terms of plot elements sometimes even if it’s silly so I’ll end it at that considering there’s many other silly major plot concentrations that can be easily taken away in a bad way if you don’t see it from the adventurous perspective or ATLEAST EXPLORE THEM! 

Soldier Final Fantasy

What’s there is there, it’s a simple story within a typical cyberpunk sceneario and I’m more than ok with that, other than that the implied adult themes are strong… And the adult themes that are straight up shown are STRONG TOO! This game is still pretty grimdark to this day, it was the first of the series to introduce real issues such as poverty, world pollution, life goals, what death means to a person and how to live with it amongst other deep contents in which the game casually comments on with a quote or 2, perhaps even an entire character built on the topic. Some may complain on how it tries to deep but for me it’s more the merrier, it isn’t the best psychological take on characters but it certainly isn’t the worst, especially compared with what Japanese media takes as “Psychological” it could BE WAY worse.  Either way I appreciate it’s psychological tones it gives the plot way much depth and it doesn’t deliver itself at first glance, anyone against it must REALLY hate people with actual personalities that are basically perfect cardboard main characters, again it’s balanced because the characters themselves are competent, which is needlessly to say the necessary for a character, outside of that you can have your emotional problems as long as you use it to power yourself within your journey, I give this long speech about character development because IT SEEMS This HAS BEEN DONE WRONG MANY TIMES and Final Fantasy VII manages to do it alright.  As a wrap on discussing the plot in this game, It is still incredible within the borders of being  EXTREME, considering half of the time it’s not much about contents but it’s structure, it’s structure is extremely good and very similar to one of a professional movie even, especially in Midgar, one of the best introductions of a game. It’s style is influenced by media products which are great such as obviously cyberpunk movies and some action films like Street Samurai, and I don’t think many explore this but it has a hint for German culture within almost everything, from symbolism to the infamous World War II to how every house designed seems like it comes from Germanny. All of this, all of this inclusion for artistic merits done really well is… For video games, beyond amazing.

Final Fantasy VII Meteor

I would say something is flawed but it is only given by the choice of wanting to play the game extendedly by default, you can go through the job that is clear the entire game and go forth to explore almost everything the game has to offer, and that’s kind of a chore (not that what is presented isn’t good it just isn’t as necessary). The game is really easy to beat in one take, it isn’t the type to have many difficulty spikes and almost everything can be done with planning strategies out instead of powering your characters up, of course to extremely play the game and explore all of its features in one take you must take time to do so, I believe the game was intentionally put that many features not to force you to explore them but to explore them if you want to, you can play the game multiple times with a different set of ideals, you can even beat the game without any magic at all which is quite the challenge some people have put themselves into. And even the side-missions within the game that are basically time wasters are pretty straight to the point compared to the other games that offer as well time wasting activities to do on the side.  This game possibly COINED this design actually, if you played some games after the successful release of Final Fantasy VII you’ll notice some games also follow the same pacing or at least try to, Final Fantasy VII has the least worse optional additions in comparison to what it influenced, a good example would be Sonic Adventure 2!

Emerald Weapon Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII has extra content among the content you have the chance go progress upon, it is not one of the best extra content because it feels as if it adds all of the optional things you can do out of place at the very end, and considering the time this was released it makes sense, the weapon bosses are simply there to make this a more worthy birthday present for a teenager in the 90s. It’s a thing added there for when you are bored of your parents you can just grind a bit more on Final Fantasy VII to be able to beat Weapon each day. It’s the last thing the game has to bring you back to, and basically the only instance of grinding within the game. Like truly, the rest of the game’s pacing and system is just perfect is that, all of the optional last things to do in this game are SIMPLY JUST “KEEP DOING IT UNTIL YOU GET THE RESULT”. Anyone who wanted to take on Emerald Weapon such as myself will understand this awkward gap in such a high paced game. 

The music is perhaps the best composed in the history of video games, not one song isn’t good but there are songs better than the other one, they’re experimental and have a nice tone to them based off the sound samples it uses.  It will always be famous for its magnificent arpeggios. The sense of loss, the tragic you feel around the sound of the music.

Final Fantasy Chocobo

Now let’s get to the bone of why this game is infamous… The sad unnecessary part of the review, yes this video game is not perfect, yes this video game is silly, yes it’s silly because of the sake of originality and not being closed to creation within artistic restraints, yes the graphics are beautiful from an opinionated point of view and a timely one (Out though it’s still pretty good looking today), and finally, YES… IT’S A VIDEO GAME.  But these aren’t the reasons it’s criticized for pity reasons at all, in fact the core game is hardly untouched most of the times and most who dislike Final Fantasy VII hardly know what they’re talking about and haven’t really looked in the game or played it… What could possibly cause this surge of infamy? Ah… Of course, the FAME.  Final Fantasy VII was considered the best so much that it managed to overshadow games, and bring it to a new demographic, this demographic wasn’t really so accepted by ha ha… Um… GAMERS. (Especially of the time where gamers kind of praised bad design, sorry retro guys but I’m more on the 5th generation side of history)  Plus I bet you look really cool for no reason saying a very decent game like this is bad in front of all your friends to gain that extra edge… You know what I’ll just cut it here, the discussion about what evil surrounds the history within this game is pretty obvious for about anyone, to show interest in it is already a bad move, it’s best to ignore everything related to this game, including what was made within the series later which are totally against everything this game has gone to other than this nonsensical over the top products that are made to cash in on the legacy. Taking a moment to talk about that separately I would say that the spin offs, movies, books (All of which I’ve actually experienced back then) seem good in concept because to be honest the idea of expanding the universe of Final Fantasy VII seems like an ok thing to do! The issue is that… It just seems unnecessary and out of place, why create more issues when it seems as if Final Fantasy VII finished everything with a good note? Everything they could possibly add is just minimum and low quality, solely done to cash in like I’ve said before with over the top action scenes.

But really, anything can be commented negative in the game, wherever it’s for nostalgia, shameless masculinity, social means OR bringing a gun to a magic wand fight (Ironically). It ends up not mattering you nerds; you’re the one who are losing all the joy which you could be having.  (I say nerds in the most ironic way possible considering I did just write an immensely big description about a RPG, sorry I have to act casual to tackle this issue).

Either way you CAN threat this game silly, I mean for sakes it’s a media product, everything can be an inside joke, there’s a lot that Final Fantasy VII offers that is intentionally funny and opens for discussion with your friends how silly it is, it’s a game where many inside jokes can be made between your friends and laugh about it, but do keep in mind on one basis on what it has to offer and what is considered funny or what is considered depressing. I think an example of what I mean by this is that, you can laugh at Aeris’s death… But only after you cried at it once ha ha ha. (….Yup… I say this from experience as much as that sounds cliché).

                      

Final Fantasy VII Medium With Shinaz Stars

  

                         

This is THE adventure, the most over achieving product in history, this game manages to hold my attention in all of the aspects it gives, a great and full of effort game that has grown out to be known as the best game ever made numerous times, it comes with a dark well designed plot filled with numerous great characters, it’s silly, humorous  and memorable,  it’s filled to the brim with content which is all amazingly crafted (which honestly is the reason why I fear this review might be TOO basic to cover up the entire game), there are 4 hour long documentaries which document every aspect, nook and cranny from this full of experience game. I mean it doesn’t seem much like it but I’m actually trying to refrain myself from writing more than a book here considering there is so much to comment on! It is a game I can discuss and tremble with joy on every moment it has to offer and it is a game not many can surpass or be as special. It is my Final Fantasy.

I would like to notice the PC version the notably the best game ever made is pretty well made honestly, there could be way worse ways to create a port to this wonderful game but to be honest this version might be better than the original, that is if you don’t mind the fact that they fixed the bad translations from the first original copies such as “This man are sick”, which was fixed to “This man is sick.”, other than that the frame rate has be better, there are options for making the game in HD or in its original native size, with many other window options, you can change the controls at your will, and for added replayability there are simple achievements! (For better or worse considering completionists will know how annoying it is to do every single thing). 

Frozen Synapse

Frozen Synapse

'''''By: Mode 7

Year: 2011

Genre: SRPG

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger







Full Throttle

Full Throttle

By: LucasArts

Year: 1995

Genre: Point and Click

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Game Dev Tycoon

Game Dev Tycoon

By: Green Heart Games

Year: 2013

Genre: Simulator

Length: 14 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Gamma Bros.

Gamma Bros.

By: PixelJAM

Year: 2006

Genre: Flash, Shoot 'Em Up

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Garry's Mod

Garry's Mod

By: Facepunch Studios

Year: 2006

Genre: FPS, Workstation

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+





GearToyGear

GearToyGear

By: Kenta Cho

Year: 2009

Genre: Freeware, Shoot 'Em Up

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Get a Life

Get a Life

By: Cide

Year: 2008

Genre: FPS, Mod

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






G-E-N-E-R-I-C

G-E-N-E-R-I-C

By: Hempuli

Year: 2009

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Goblet Grotto

Goblet Grotto

By: The Catamites

Year: 2012

Genre: Freeware, Roguelike

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Gone Home

Gone Home

By: The Fullbright Company

Year: 2013

Genre: Non-Theory

Length: 1 minute to 1 Hour

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

A game with I guess quite an interesting concept for that interested me for atleast 2 minutes or so until I actually picked up the game but for what the game Is I can’t blame it that much because atleast this one tried, a little, but it’s there… Unlike the OTHER art games. The concept is simple, a game that tells it’s story by exploring a empty house by the point of view of a girl protagonist that came back from her trip from Europe, you will explore items, rooms and etc to discover the plot and characters of the game. But yeah it does have a nice concept going for it, considering this type of simulation is only available in video games but it just ends up being on the same level of entertainment for me as the other art games, the game is basically modern point and click game and by being modern they mean “EASY IT OUT FOR THE MAINSTREAM”, there are no puzzles at all in fact I felt like a dumb ass when I started noting down all of the dates you see in the papers on a paper I had laying around my desk just in case I had to use them as a password when in reality all I had to do was look for obvious papers and find keys,  said papers will show secret locations that if you knew them from the start you can basically skip the entire game. Wow! BUT!!! YOU CAN LOOK AT HOUSE DESIGN AND THINK TO YOURSELF “WOW THIS IS JUST LIKE GOING INSIDE A REAL HOUSE! DISCOVERING THE CHARACTERS FROM LOOKING THROUGH THEIR STUFF” Yeah well… The story is… Cliché Like in a way hollywood’s idea of issues are. The whole “twist” if by the time you’re reading this even, the twist was predictable for me like 40 seconds in. Which is hilarious to say considering YOU can beat the game very shortly if you want to in 40 seconds! That is if you don’t like putting objects in your face. But apparently for some it’s still interesting because a video game is doing it. I feel bad for those who were expecting a horror game, some thought the ending was gonna be finding a corpse. Me? Honestly I expected an alien ghost possessing JFK’s corpse so he would start being more liberal than he already is. But you can tell my hopes were not satisfied.

Shinaz Star Rating 2 out of 5

  

     

Over all Dinner Dates 2: Excuses In Interaction ended up being too short, too bland and not interesting enough like it was at the very first seconds. 

Grand Chase

Grand Chase

By: KOG Studios

Year: 2006

Genre: MMORPG, Fighter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+

BOLA DE FOGO!




Grand Theft Auto IV

Grand Theft Auto IV

By: Rockstar

Year: 2008

Genre: Third Person Shooter, Sandbox

Length: 40 to 80 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+

What is considered to be by many critics one of the best games ever made ends up being mostly a disappointment in the heart of the fans and people expecting a fun game. It’s really simple basically, GTA IV tries to be something that isn’t GTA, and ends up being really bad at it. First of all the amount of Chaos you would normally want to cause in a Grand Theft Auto game is not here, the game is completely aware that you want to have fun and it won’t let you because it is trying so hard to keep its realism or theme, so of course the number of penalties are over the roof, if you dare create just a small amount of crime in the sandbox for some extra cash you get from killing people in the streets it will give you a big amount of heat from the cops in mere seconds, this wouldn’t be a problem if the cops where fun to have around but they aren’t, they just make the game more difficult and obviously penalties you having fun. GTAIV doesn’t try to be exciting at all, it gives you things such as sociality where you gotta drive your girlfriend or your friends to a bar with a huge amount of time you spend driving in the long and very distant roads you drive. The game also has this thing… This strange feature which at the same time it isn’t trying to be a Grand Theft Auto game, it’s trying to be it… All of the universe’s features are there and the game does try to aim at a satire humor most of the time, but the satire humor of this game isn’t as universal as it was in the past games, it tries too hard to be MODERN like seriously I have never heard a video game in my life talk about homosexuality as much as this game, they try to reference how people use “gay” as an insult in a homophobic way to show how natural calling others gay as an insult is in the modern days of life, there is a constant reference to recent political issues such as REPUBLICANS and LIBERALS!! Hahaha we are so in the times!! Where hip and cool!! Of course what I’m getting at is that it’s all too centered in parodying recent political issues of the USA and ends up coming out as too unfunny and unoriginal for me. After getting a bad taste of these horrible jokes you get dessert to end the lunch with melodramatic cutscenes of Niko and it just doesn’t fit.

Due to the horrible physics the any typical car if driven naturally will turn into scrap in less than 30 seconds… That or you fly from the window and take like a century to get up, there is also a chance on top of that of you dying while tumbling down on the floor slowly. Apparently in the GTA universe seatbelts don’t exist at all. Driving is so bad inside this game that in the first times can amount to “so bad it’s good” moments but other than that it has forced me to use Taxis every now and then due to the fact that driving inside the game is boring and has no entertainment what so ever, it’s sad that there isn’t a single normal way to drive inside this game without flying all over the place. The plot as I said before tries to be serious, but ends up just being moody in a bad way. It really ends up being horribly cheesy rather than being an actual decent parody with its original dialog here and there but GTAIV doesn’t even have that much original dialog other than that the plot and characters are completely repetitive, it’s either about a try hard dying in the end, with Niko rambling about the land of opportunity, rinse and repeat. And even if you enjoy the dialog or cutscenes for the heck of experiencing GTA IV fully, there are moments you cannot go back to relieve due to the fact that calls are really easily interrupted, if you get bumped by a car while on the phone listening to PRECIOUS PLOT it will automatically skip the entire conversation due to a simple bump of an almost STOPPING CAR. Every mission is dull and bland, all of the missions don’t have a personality to them and are as almost repetitive as the plot inside the game, its gun action is really boring considering it goes to this boring cover to the wall gameplay and there will be a huge amount of driving missions without any special quality at all. It’s also sad to say that these missions and the other sub-missions you can find which are basically as boring as the main missions but optional are the only thing you can do inside this game, a GTA game shouldn’t be this controlling when it comes to what you can do inside the game, without the missions the city itself is just bland and the collectable aren’t even that special. It just feels as if all of the game’s features are absolutely useless when you have a chance to freely play the game. The game’s music is a bit either cheesy or unmemorable, I felt as if the only radio stations I enjoyed was the reggae one due to the classics and the Electro one due to the upbeat catchiness, what’s interesting enough it seems as if every time you go inside a car you listen to a new song of how distant they are, that’s interesting I guess but not what I expect from a sandbox game, I want to actually know what I’m listening to and enjoy them everytime I get to hear them.

I keep on saying about extra content without actually explaining but the best for last I guess! Most of the game’s extra content is why I am somewhat light hearted about this game, they end up being really good, you don’t see that much games with as much content as GTA IV does, I am mostly talking about the technology inside the game, there are computers inside the game that have its share if websites about its own universe and it’s actually a really creative that explain the game and a fun idea to keep the immersion better, most of the game’s menus come from your cellphone, the game has a fair amount of mini-games and locations to explore even though they seem a bit closed inside places and not in the open wield like a sandbox game should be, it’s better than nothing.

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5



                 

Some concepts of the game are good, in fact the high number of content inside the game can be charming but it feels as if they should concentrate in the basics, the main gameplay other than the silly extras you do in your spare time.

  

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Grand Theft Auto Vice City

By: Rockstar Games

Year: 2006

Genre: Third Person Shooter, Sandbox

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Gravity Bone

Gravity Bone

By: Blendo Games

Year: 2009

Genre: Non-Theory

Length: 30 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Grezzo 2

Grezzo 2

By: Nic Piro

Year: 2012

Genre: FPS

Length: 30 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger



Grid Defender 2

Grid Defender 2

{C}By: Necromancer

Year: 2009

Genre: Freeware, Shoot 'Em Up

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Grim Fandango

Ah yes the sole king of Adventure games as so many say about it, one of the games you gotta play before you die… And also a game about death itself! You play as Manny a Grim Reaper… Uh, well I guess that’s enough that I would like to say about it because this is the type of game that even the little things such as basic synopsis ruins the brilliance of said game. Honestly, this is the type of games where little things such as the basic universe and first thoughts are the best moments. Grim Fandango also excels on how it reveals like a pattern of stuff each chapter or year the game goes.

Well I’ve finished it and... I’m not really big on it really? I thought it was supposed to be more life changing that it is, some introduced it to me as the BEST PLOT in video games! Honestly the plot was pretty typical in a way out though it takes a while to reveal itself and bring me to a variety of locations, but I wouldn’t call it life changing or anything. Besides maybe they confused plot with dialog. The dialog is hilarious and has possibly one of the best wording, puns, memorable quotes and comebacks ever! But plot on the other side not as much. I’m also a bit weirded out how the end came out of nowhere, sure it was expected to happen sooner or later but bit of a downer, you’re just randomly at the final place and you do the most obvious thing to end the story and that’s it! Maybe I expected more twists, maybe something at the start of the game… I don’t know… Maybe Manny’s unexplained reason for not remembering who he is could later be a twist on how Manny was the first and original Grim Reaper? I SERIOUSLY DID EXPECT TOO MUCH and it’s perhaps becoming too much of a problem for my life.

So, visually? Amazing (with the exceptions of bad shadowing). Symbolically? Comedic genius. Writing? The best puns I’ve ever heard. But I can’t feel as if I’ve had enough of it. It seems as if they just presented something quickly to get over with it later on. I mean… When you think about how an entire revolution was made for the sake of just 1 person. It seems they could of got him way before. Either way with the lovely memorable moments and in general culture showcase of Mexican culture I still recommend this game for those who are in desperate need of a one of a time experience in their life. Or their death.

Half-Life Series

Half-Life

Half-Life

Half-Life Blue Shift

Half-Life: Blue Shift

By: Valve Corporation

Year: 1998/1991/2001/2014/2006/2007

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger / 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+

Half-Life Opposing Force

Half-Life: Opposing Force

Half-Life 2

Half-Life 2

Half-Life 2 Deathmatch

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch

Half-Life 2 Episode 1

Half-Life 2: Episode 1

Half-Life 2 Episode 2

Half-Life 2: Episode 2

Half-Life 2 Lost Coast

Half-Life 2: Lost Coast

THEY'RE WAITING FOR YOU GORDON... IN THE TEST CHAMBER. Well Half-Life.... The Half-Life series was… A disaster from the day it came. I’m sorry fans but these are outdated experiences, the first game in the series and the second one and it’s episodes in very similar aspects too. Not really a bad game actually but more of a mediocre game that was considered great by many who don’t know anything about FPS games in general, but it deserves to be called bad to remind it’s obnoxious uneducated fans that they’re destructive opinion does not rule. This is a game praised by so many ignorant people who think every single FPS game should be point A to point B with lazy guns, and boring terrible pacing in levels. But ah! That’s not what most of the fans praise it for, don’t they? They praise it for atmosphere! Ugh. That’s your number one sign you’re going for a bad time, an illusion made by so many to seem deep and thoughtful when in reality they have the lowest standards for anything possible.

In Half-Life 2 you are Gordon Freeman, the returning silent protagonist from the first Half-Life and you start to go around the roads of a dystopian future in which I guess the aliens from Half-Life are in control of the humans. You are defenseless in the first seconds at this holds up some atmosphere as more and more plot entails during these moments, but shortly in some seconds and Much like the first Half-Life where you are just a regular scientist in a silent location unaware of all of the suspicious accidents that are yet to come… You’ll meet characters with personality, go through huge places and have a feeling of emptiness (much like the afterthought of these series WOOPS)… But then the worst part of these games! The combat comes… And haha wow… The combat is really bad. It’s awful really; every single weapon in this game feels like NOTHING. It’s perhaps the worst gameplay ever with no achievement what so ever. Enemies barely flinch as you round bullets in them, all of the guns sound so obnoxiously soft and fake, nothing really moves or shackles. It’s SO BAD… TO have a FPS game in which SHOOTING IS A DOWN-SIDE. It’s a huge and immersive world filled with empty worlds and abandoned cities that give you a feel of emptiness but none of it IS REALLY fun. It’s just an ongoing chore to keep playing especially with some bad segments of just driving and so on.  AND BOY the linearity KILLS ME! These game is literally lines, these game is nothing but a annoying line of narrow corridors and These games are one of the most linear games to ever be made, and I’ve played my share of arcade games and platformers, at least those games sometimes have branching paths, good map design with many locations to attack your enemy (not just corridors with open ended big spaced locations that don’t really help the variation) or you know… ENTERTAINING MUSIC that isn’t your out of the run badly produced techno music.  But comparing the series to Platforming games actually does make sense because these are games with some by far the WORST case; these games suffer too much from platforming! Everything is a risky jump, everything is you climbing, everything single thing is you inches close to falling to your death because probably it’s more common to die from than the actual bad enemies these games have.

The engines are somewhat ok, there are some good games that have used the engine, weirdly let it be RPG games or something else, the engine is extremely easy to run but I don't like it when people don't modificiate it that much. It ends up looking like Half-Life. We live in a world where Half-Life engine or clones are TOO much. 

These games are not what should be noted as a classics, it is a downgrade from everything in terms of gameplay and should not be considered to be inspirational, it’s good in the category of atmosphere but for what? To deny of everything else?  What’s funny though is that, everything I’m saying does apply to the first bad game in this series even though I started talking about Half-Life 2 in the beginning of this review but it strangely applies to all of the Half-Life franchise. From the Half-Life episodes to the Half-Life 2 Episodes. From about almost every mediocre Half-Life 2 mod made in the same vain and problems ignorantly too. 

They… Have good multiplayer though in my opinion. The multiplayer is insane and badly done and it’s community will and almost will always be gamers that don’t have other online games accessible for them so that they can play… but the maps are VERY WACKY. It’s a less serious Counter Strike in many occasions in which you have guns that are insanely cheap, about everything around this game is broken so there’s no serious gameplay surely. Also Half-Life 2 doesn’t include Deathmatch multiplayer as a default and rather sell it separate unlike the first Half-Life. Really inconsiderate and shameful. 

It is possibly because of this that the series does simply not improve from its annoying broken formula that Half-Life 3 doesn’t see the light of day, it’s an economic death trap to release that game in the near future because there has been so many FPS games available since then that putted Half-Life back in its place. It’s because of this Valve is looking for alternatives, other series, other gimmicks to hunt down until, even looking for new employees. Out though the last in the series Episode 2 of Half-Life 2, is… Pretty good. Better than the rest obviously, it’s considered the most action packed of the series and has more open situations but it’s still in its mediocre usage of its bad weapons.

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5

                            

So I leave you with that Mr. Freeman… You see *SLIGHT ASHMA ATTACK* Not all things go your way…  Even though your way is… Just another corridor I believe… Or maybe... A jump. 

Half-Life 2: Jaykin' Bacon Source

Half-Life 2 Jaykin' Bacon Source

By: The Podunkian

Year: 2004

Genre: FPS, Mod

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+

Is by far, the best multiplayer mod of all times without competition.  Anything more about it would be a bit unnecessary but this is a game in which I buy the half-assed game on steam for friends so we don’t play the game, but play this mod instead.

It’s a parody mod of some sorts with various guns types and funny game modes which mostly are references to games such as Metal Gear Solid, Goldeneye 007 or Ape Escape, amongst other popular franchises that aren’t only video games.  Not only does the game have this amount of parody but a fair of modes and new gun controls. It’s hard to review this game because to basically review it, you must review each and single weapon of the game and each mode too, which is a hassle, to shorten it up a bit, the game has  

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5

Look… It’s just too fun, and the insane amount of weapons adds to the strategy that can be added to the game is noteworthy reasons on why to play the game. 

Hammerfight

Hammerfight

By: Konstantin Koshutin

Year: 2009

Genre: Fighter

Length: 4 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Art
Vein
Eye

“Swinging the chains… Swinging the chains. Swinging the chains.” A steampunk game about a fantasy kingdom that uses steam powered air clock devices that fly around using their body weight to swing a chain to attack other flying enemies… With a pretty annoying physics engine! You can tell this was a bad idea to begin with as it’s downright barbarian and this steampunk universe is indeed very stupid BUT this game is a game with probably one of the best gib animations in ever! Destructive environments, detailed pixels, very weird cgi speech boxes and in general a very cool looking presentation, you can tell this is a very foreign game by its style!  But… Going to the deal breaker, the GAMEPLAY. Yes it’s innovative, but that is not the first thing I’ll start talking about this game or even touch that much because here is the main issue with this game: THE PAIN OF MY WRIST. You know those mouse pads with a wrist pillow? If you don’t have that I’m sorry you will eventually die throughout playing this game… Like, cutting your wrist on how hard you work it and just bleeding immedetely after the blood travel faster than it should because you were consentrating so much on this game. What’s with this idea huh? The game is a bit decent BUT OH MY God it REALLY does test your wrist power, changing the mouse sensitivity barely helps sometimes as you still gotta swing the chain and for that the gameplay is pretty repetitive, you later on gain some new styles to play the game such as adding cannons adding some new variation, other than that you can also get swords and amongst other weapons that are more powerful or weightless. The style is fantastic and the engine is very fluid, opening for more ways to play such as even using the environment or throwing things at the character.  It is an extreme game until the end and it would be good in fact if it wasn’t AS HARD as it could be. But never the less it’s decent and could be fun, it does has a lot of unlockable modes such as arena as you play the game to give the game more replayability..  


It’s a hazardous for your health type of game, in which if you get too much into it, your wrist will start to hurt a lot so play with caution, but if you want an experimental fun and extreme steampunk game with a lot of style and substance this is for you. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5


               


Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit

Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit

By: Arkedo Studio, SEGA

Year: 2012

Genre: Platformer, Metroidvania?

Length: 8 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Note
Eye

Here’s my short review on this media product that is indeed considered a video game: What the fuck is wrong with this shit.

Or shall I say “WTF IZ WRUNG WIT DIS SHIET?” LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL! AMERICAN WEB CULTURE!!

This game ends up being so obnoxious it becomes surreal really. But do consider it's gameplay is also boring and not as extreme as it's art style. 

Shinaz Star Rating 2 out of 5



Hitman 2: Silent Assassin

Hitman 2 Silent Assassin

By: IO Interactive

Year: 2002

Genre: Stealth

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Hitman: Blood Money

Hitman Blood Money

By: IO Interactive

Year: 2006

Genre: Stealth

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Home

Home

By: Dennaton Games, Cactus

Year: 2012

Genre: Non-Theory, "Horror"

Length: 1 hour

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

I’m sorry but possible one of the worst “horror” games I’ve ever played, a horror game with pretty much no enemies, no challenges and hardly any story depending on how many clues you’ll get by the end.  All you can do is walk either left or right, enter a door and hardly try to find a key to proceed to another more stale and uninteresting place, It would be really great if there was at least one place to save inside this game, even though the game is short and APPARENTLY WITH THE 0 SAVE PLACES is considered to do it in one setting it is really hard because the game will make you certainly bored and the sooner you’d stop playing the game was better for you. Yes, the game has one little “trick” on its sleeves that are considered the stuff you do can change the story of the game (which is almost nonexistent). Calling it unique feels more or less of a scam to give you something without hardly any gameplay and later on call it game with plot when you simply get is mostly only information without any result and just open doors with not even a single puzzle by turning something more than once or finding a key that was REALLY CLOSE. It’s only single quality was the quality of the sound, but that let alone doesn’t make a game good.

Shinaz Star Rating 0 out of 5



   

Hotline Miami

Hotline Miami

By: Dennaton Games, Cactus

Year: 2012

Genre: Isometric Shooter, Stealth

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Huggly's Sleepover: Thinking Adventures

Huggly's Sleepover Thinking Adventures

{C}By: Scholastic Interactive

Year: 1997

Genre: Educational, Point and Click

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






I Wanna Be The Guy: The Movie: The Game

I Wanna Be The Guy

{C}By: Michael "Kayin" O'Reilly

Year: 2007

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Igneous

Igneous

By: Going Down In Flames

Year: 2009

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length: 10 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Eye

YAH. A very cool short looking game you can find, you are just a little rolling rock going down a cave or labyrinth looking places in which you are constantly rolling away from overcoming lava that is going to get you, you simply jump to places and proceed until the end of each level avoiding whatever comes in your way. WHAT SHOULD BE SAID THOUGH IS THIS GAME OUT THOUGH SHORT AND JUST A SMALL TIME WASTER IS BEAUTIFUL AND should be experience for the heck of it’s amazing visuals. The game usually goes with a tiki hut style and amazing colors of blue and orange. The music out though is very cheap and I must say, the credits music is by far the most out of tone thing and really does show the musical TALENT… This person may have out of being able to make graphical short demo features.


Out though basically a demo to showcase interesting graphics it is a pretty cool game, the orange and blue colors warm my heart as I simply love that common contrast of colors and I enjoy the memorable screaming too. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5


  


Imagination Reality Paradise

Imagination Reality Paradise
Art

By: Going Down In Flames

Year: 2007

Genre: Non-Theory

Length: 15 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

As you can imagine this is one of those weird games probably made by people who have schizophrenia or a regular psychotic hate towards the world it’s very creepy and unsettling which also happens to be one of those “I was rejected by a girl and now I am driven by murder because I’m a troubled in the mind boy that thinks romance works that way” OR IT’S JUST SOMEONE WITH THE NEED FOR SUICIDE..  It’s visuals are randoms and it’s in general basically shocking.

But either way it’s a sequence of horrifying images and horrifying mini-games so if you wanted to be weirded out by that in any way so yeah sure play this surreal game with almost no meaning.  It also might be randomly generated.  


The site itself where you obtain this game is especially creepy and non-explainable as well. 

BUT ON TOP OF THAT IT HAS ALTERNATIVE ENDINGS SO GOOD LUCK WITH TAHT.


Indigo Prophecy

Indigo Prophecy

By: Quantic Dream

Year: 2005

Genre: Interactive Movie

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Iji

Iji

By: Daniel Remar

Year: 2008

Genre: Freeware, Metroidvania

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Irisu Syndrome

Irisu Syndrome

By: wtetsu

Year: 2008

Genre: Freeware, Puzzle, Visual Novel

Length: 1 hour

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

An interesting puzzle game really, out though a bit janky comes with its specialties by presenting itself by being a haunted video game. You play this puzzle game where gravity is key and you summon cubes to push cubes up and hit other cubes the same color to gain points, it sounds dumb but it’s harder than it is probably because of the low gravity. Other than the fun simple puzzle game about floating blocks, it presents background from time to time about these kids in a haunted place within the game story the more you play, as it slowly reveals a dark plot. The more you play, the video game itself has a mind of its own as it sends you text files or pictures of its current plans based on the game’s story.  The music’s pretty ok, and sets the creepy mood, but it’s mostly 3 tracks and sad piano all the time.

About that is pretty simple, it’s a bit of a spoiler to unveil the plot, out though it’s a simple slasher plot BUT WITH A PUZZLE game, the variation in results and points as to how you get stuff is great as there are many reactions weirdly for a game that only works on how many points you give them. It must be translated and free right now so you might want to give it a try if you into a cheap scare. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5







Jazz Jackrabbit 2

Jazz Jackrabbit 2

By: Epic Games

Year: 1998

Genre: Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Jazzpunk

Jazzpunk

By: Necrophone Games, Adult Swim

Year: 2014

Genre: Non-Theory

Length: 4 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger I honestly recommend getting Jazzpunk if you want, it’s like around pretty short but it does pack a punch of hours of completely interesting and originally well made jokes. It’s in the genre of those types of games where you simply explore and do… Stuff. But It has also has allot of bonus features that may contain actual gameplay (mini-games) which is nice. It’s one of those games that I have possibly chuckled and laughed at each clever pun. This is the type of game I don’t recommend looking up because it might spoil and it also is the type you go in completely blank. Of course I do recommend you explore like a proper cyber entertainment enthusiast would, I’ve seen people play this game and miss almost EVERYTHING, it’s like this person never learned to interact with stuff more than once until said person drained all of the delicious content, I hate people who do not appreciate these stuff at the fullest, why even bother? It's style is amazing and it's music is too, being beats of old music makes it pretty great.

What I can tell about the game is that it is as if someone was writing a joke book with various puns and later on said they were to make a game out of it. Oh and I guess I can tell you the theme is “technology”. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5


         


JumpStart Adventures 3rd Grade: Mystery Mountain

Jumpstart 3rd Grade Adventures

By: Knowledge Adventure

Year: 1996

Genre: Educational, Point and Click

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Jumpstart Pre-K

Jumpstart Pre-K

By: Knowledge Adventure

Year: 1996

Genre: Educational, Point and Click

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Just Cause 2

Just Cause 2
Eye

By: Avalanche, Eidos

Year: 2010

Genre: Sandbox, Third World Country

Length: 80 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Son of a miha! A game with hardly any plot or substance, you’re this latino guy with a hook that lets you grab onto mountains and about everything like helicopters and lets you explore this HUGE island with 4 biomes such as snow, dessert, third world cities and I guess tropical. It’s a VERY slow paced game though and there are absolutely hardly any missions to hold your hand or bring you more, technically this is a game with more out of bounds. You can truly rob a plane and go to a random section of the world and just try to make some progress, for that it’s kind of a get and go type of game with a simple goal, but it doesn’t attract much attention. Also it takes SO MUCH SO MUCH to get a simple weapon upgrade; mostly the goal of this game is to clear bases, by exploding stuff and finding boxes. Exploding stuffs may be easy because usually you find a helicopter right in the base with missiles to help you attack the base BUT boxes are the worst thing from this game literally, they did not make a good collecting process here, collectables In this game ARE SO Hard to find.  You unlock bases to get more weapon upgrades, you get more weapon upgrades to make it faster to explode things, it’s basically an endless GRIND AND sure the gameplay engine is pretty ok, it’s very fun to grapple and parachute up buildings and explore many locations in the interesting biomes of the sandbox. BUT MIOS DIOS everything is a CHORE. 

As fun as the game can be it goes to points that it prolangly becomes annoying without any improvement in gameplay to make the game more fresh. Just Cause 2 is one trick pony, my guess on why it makes you guy on a treasure hunt forever to get one simple upgrade is to only make the game feel longer. Like I’ve said before at the start of the game it shows you everything and then just leaves you with nothing.

It’s a good old action packed sandbox game but it ends up being just sand… In a box. And there isn’t much you can do with sand.

         

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5



Katawa Shoujo

Katawa Shoujo

By: Four Leaf Studios

Year: 2012

Genre: Freeware, Visual Novel

Length: 6 hours each 5 characters

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Wahaha~! Wooooo OH BOY. Where do I start? I don't feel in the mood at all to review this game seriously. Considering I review games right away after I fully experience them, this will be a pretty hard review to accomplish due the fact that I am EMOTIONALY DEVASTATED but I’ll try... Katawa Shoujo’s (which means Disability Girls in English) concept of this Visual Novel right off the bat can be pretty dramatic or heck even intimidating for some by the fact that it’s subject is people with disabilities. You play as a boy who on a winter night receives a love message from a girl and out of the sudden flops dead, that boy finds himself on Hospital being told that he has a heart-condition and is lucky to have survived all of those years of his life without having this accident. You are transported outside the hospital for a Special high school dedicated to people with various disabilities. This where you’re romantic adventure starts. You are introduced to allot of women who have disabilities and their own personality and if you play your cards right in the first 30 minutes you will end up in a relationship with one of the girls you have met or ELSE YOU WILL DIE. In fact the intro of the game is possibly one of the hardest parts of the game considering it is so easy to get the bad ending and die. I’m not going to spoil much but the bad ending is kind of funny and pretty realistic so I would consider it a GREAT bad ending or maybe a warning telling you how hard decisions in life can actually be. After the first act, stuff are pretty much easy going from there, choices aren’t as hard and pretty much in your face obvious “I should go with X” “I should go with Y”. The characters are simply lovely, each with their own unique personality and style! It’s hard to write a review on all of the characters considering each one feels as if they were written their own separate novel each with their HEART-WARMING, DEPRESSING, CONFUSING and IRRATING moments... And yes they ARE THAT GOOD. The main character is great considering it’s the type of guy you yourself can relate too, not in terms of opinion on art or casual stuff but in how you would react if you were going through his issues like going to a completely surreal place you don’t know how to feel like and depending what route you choose in the game(There are 5 routes, each with a neutral, bad and good ending) the way he cares about that character is almost as exact the same way you care about them. The writing is amazing and realistic, it as if they really talked to people who were going through these issues in life, some dialog inside this game can be extremely moral and life changing quotes and allot of those phrases are philosophy on real life issues and the type of stuff that makes you interested on thinking about the subject. Visual effects are by far one of the most excellent I’ve seen in a visual novel! Moving backgrounds and special effects such as character movement are smooth and amazingly impressive, there will be JUMPING, Falling, zooming in and zooming out! And on top of that! Lot's of animated cutscenes for Act 2! SHEEEESH… For once a Visual Novel has all the rights to show why it really doesn’t deserve to be a book with only words. Sound design and music are both sound excellent and are beautifully composed, the music really in this is REALLY emotionally powerful and the moments it starts to play are perfect… You may be asking why I haven’t put “Ero Game” in the genres, that’s because the sex scenes in this game are more romantic than erotic in my opinion in fact I find it hard to BELIEVE how someone would be turned on by them even because they FEEL more heart-warming or CONFUSING RANDOM! Heck, anything but erotic. I just don’t feel right if you treat this game as a pornography because it isn’t, it’s “plot with porn” not “porn with plot” PEOPLE. Other than that when the sex scenes come on I feel that it’s art style is completely different from the rest of the game as if it was made by multiple other people and really makes it look odd but it still looks pretty in some ways... On second thought there is allot of perverted sex scenes when you go with Emi but that's a tottally different character. I got to talk atleast once about the menu system in this game, it's pretty complex and has allot of options! It can show you which part you are at, which song is playing and the time you have been playing the game. In the options you can skip all the parts you have already read(or enable skip all, which even skips what you HAVEN'T read), fullscreen, lower or higher the volume and even disable adult content (That's a first timer for a visual novel now isn't it?). These options are pretty helpful and it's hard to find these type of options normally in a visual novel.

Needless to say, this game has driven me to tears… That’s right; Katawa Shoujo got a car, asks if I needed a lift and drove me to the capital state of GOD DAMN TEARS. It has won my heart as my favorite Visual Novel of all times and has made me feel all sorts of emotions. And a great thing about it is that it can bring great morals such as the fact of showing that people with disabilities are none other than normal people just like us. Not that I didn’t know that and already treat everyone equally before I played this game but you get the idea it brings strong morals to people. Also the fact that this excellent game with 5 years of effort is for free is a let alone amazingly heart-warming. If you’re looking for an excellent well written and realistic romance story brings interesting concepts on the table (that is so hard to believe that all of this is not only free but INDIEPENDENT), this is it!

....Haha just kidding, it's not all that deep and has allot of cripple jokes. I mean, there pretty harsh like what the hell hahaha, it get's my respect for being a visual novel with lots of effort  and free though i'll give it that

Katawa Shoujo happens to be an "OK" visual novel, not really the best but an "OK" one that happens to have some points of realism in it and general cliches. 

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5



                       


Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days

Kane & Lynch 2 Dog Days
Art
Eye
Heart

By: IO Interactive

Year: 2010

Genre: Third Person Shooter

Length: 4 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/1 Player Shinaz Larger

It is one of the weirdest mainstream third Person shooters I’ve played but also one of the most better stylized too, and I completely respect that, in fact one of the reasons I actually ended up enjoying the game a bit was that it’s visuals, gritty style, and plot development where something that made me really interested in playing mediocre gameplay aside... For others not so much, the shaking camera throughout the game is known for people as the worse when I can just simply put it aside and actually live with it. I just really feel bad that it was really short. Really really bad. Like I don’t judge short games on a level where if you are short you are shitty shirt that comes with shorts. But it really does feel as if the length of this game damaged it, It feels as If it wasn’t enough, as if there was supposed to be a finale or more interesting areas that use the aesthetic of this game such as a rave in its predecessor game, the neon nights would look very dramatic in this and it would be a very memorable scene.  Game feels like a rebel, simply ending out of nowhere like that. What’s the deal? I was liking the ride, heck the gameplay would have been excusable if it wasn’t for that I guess.

SAYTING again I mean I have to it's pretty beautiful...It’s presentation and graphical style is very cool yet kind of gets old sometimes, the shaking camera wasn’t really an issue for me considering I could get used to it and the action gameplay is SOMETIMES fun out though there is a limitation on guns, the thing that this game peaks is it’s attention to detail, yes the levels are pretty linear but in the first experiences of the game where you go around the citties is pretty cool considering you can enter places such as shops, streets and etc. So it’s not completely bad designed to keep in mind.  Things are very shiny in this game, especially the bodies! The face detail is one of the best I’ve seen in games without being mocapped out though there is A HUGE NUMBER of old people you find throughout the game. Yes, the whole experience in the final moments make you feel as if there wasn’t enough. Not only that the game is short, it makes you feel uncomplished as if there was something more but just a let down. IT also should be noted about… One of the characters? There is supposed to be a camera man recording all this we never get to know him or his intentions, somewhat spoilers but the camera man dies in the end only making more questions, maybe there are 2 camera men following Kane and Lynch that would explain who was driving the helicopter perhaps? But in the end it’s just one person and I supposed to the footage was later got by the security  in which they censored all the times Kane and Lynch shooted people in public. I don’t even know why I’m thinking that much about the game’s logic but they could of done a better job at representing the camera man. In the end one of my most loved features of the game was the tittle screen… It’s just something that lets me in awe everytime I see it. Not the car one that much but the rest like the apartment window at night. It entertains and shocks me at the same way screensavers amused me as a kid when people even used screensavers. 

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5

 Overall the game ended up being too short, too simple (ironically considering what it does is all shocking and brand new in gaming) and overall I guess mediocre. Not the worst though! But truly not something that holds up to itself.. It is a mediocre game but.... It's just... So memorable you know? I keep coming back to this fine piece of art and it's visuals honestly impress me. I think we established the point that it is literally the ART house equivalent of a vide ogame, not those bad non-theory or minimalistic games that are considered art but an actual game that is DIFFFERENT AND atsmopheric. I don't know, maybe it's just a bad game that I have a lot of emotional connection to. But I still love it. Maybe by how much the camera shook in the game it somehow managed to shake my emotions as well? 

Killing Floor

Killing Floor

By: Tripwire Interactive

Year: 2009

Genre: FPS, RPG, Survival Horror

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+





Knytt

Knytt

By: Nifflas

Year: 2006

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Knytt Stories

Knytt Stories

By: Nifflas

Year: 2007

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






La-Mulana

La Mulana

By: Nigoro

Year: 2005

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Left 4 Dead

Left 4 Dead

By: Valve Corporation

Year: 2008

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger / 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+





Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2

By: Valve Corporation

Year: 2009

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger / 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+






Legend of Princess

Legend of Princess

By: Konjak

Year: 2009

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Love

Love

By: Trunks

Year: 2014

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Well this is it isn’t it? This has to be up there being one of the most effortless games to ever be made. AND IT’S ON STEAM! This game gets 1 star for the fact that I can jump and avoid spikes and sometimes there’s more pixels than usual. 

Shinaz Star Rating 1 out of 5


           

Lyle in Cube Sector

Lyle in Cube Sector

By: Bogosoft

Year: 2006

Genre: Freeware, Metroidvania

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Madness Interactive

Madness Interactive

By: Krinkels, Max Abernethy

Year: 2003

Genre: Flash, Freeware 

Length: 10 minutes, 1 hour

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

A flash (with also an exe version) game based on an edgy and dark flash series that happens to be innovative .Truly A CLASSIC OF flash animation. And thankfully it also comes in exe format so that you can play it offline and on the go. This game used to be so fun and still holds up to this day because of its fascinating engine, or perhaps the fact that to this day I cannot beat it. But I still do enjoy playing the other game modes in which I’m free to play in any way I want.  But it isn’t a unbeatable game, it can be mastered. The system is easy, you control the guy’s hands with the mouse and WASD for the basic movement, by doing so you can wave the mouse and you’ll be throwing punches or throwing a gun or knife! You also have bullet time making it easier in some categories but it is limited. Mastering this game is quite difficult but some have perfected it by simulationesly being able to throw guns without ammo and immediately getting new guns.  But yes THIS Does feel like a full game even if the single player story mode is 10 minute it takes a lot of time to get good to play it fully! In the meanwhile there are training modes that let you train just in case to get better it’s wonderful. It truly is a fully packed flash game. It’s weapons aren’t that vast but it has a variation of them, plus you get to customize your own character even with a selection of stuff. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

Even though it is almost impossible to beat within a first experience due to getting used to the physics and it's insane difficulty, it is worth to play out, especially for the tutorial, and really it is one of my favorite flash games I used to play at lan houses when I had the chance for it. 

Magic Carpet

Magic Carpet

By: Bullfrog Productions

Year: 1994

Genre: FPS, Sim

Length: 7 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Magic Carpet is a very innovative FULLY 3D somewhat FPS game with some Simulator (?) elements, not entirely though like an actual sim game, the only thing you basically can do is plan buildings and other than that you’re exploring to find stuff to shoot. A very weird game but quite fascinating too, not because of the magic undertones but because of the choice of a magic carpet. I don’t get the idea of making a single person in a Magic Carpet with magic powers to become a god of some sort and expand the land or purify it. Seems like a weird concept for a symbol of god in a video game but either way the goal of the game is to destroy monsters, find some potions that give you magic spells which are the equivalent of weapons and shoot some golden orbs until you got them all in a stage so that you purify the location. It’s typical but the sandbox kind of makes it feel new and more free than the usual FPS mission of going out and killing stuff but I feel as if the gameplay IS TOO fast to handle, yes it is impressive and quite gazing to see the places but the controls can be confusing sometimes and especially considering you could accidently move your camera to a point of perspective in which you don’t understand what’s going on.

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5

The game’s a bit confusing considering it drops you out of nowhere and if you explore too much you might lost and forget what you’re supposed do but even so, the graphics are INCREDIBLE to look at, the wave animation is amazing and there isnt much DOS games with as good water as it, flying on your Magic Carpet gives quite the breeze. 

Maple Story

Maple Story

By: Nexon

Year: 2005

Genre: MMORPG, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+






Marc Eckō's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure

Marc Ecko’s Getting Up

By: The Collective, Inc.

Year: 2006

Genre: Beat 'Em Up, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Mario Teaches Typing 2

Mario Teaches Typing 2

By: Brainstorm, Nintendo

Year: 1996

Genre: Educational

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Master Reboot

Master Reboot
Art
Eye

By: Wales Interactive

Year: 2013

Genre: Non-Theory, Puzzle

Length: 3 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Remember. With quite allot of mediocre artistic games with the same style of progression in levels it’s nice to see a game that actually has some length and variety to it in its gerne. The game is about a creation called the soul cloud that can put the memories of dead people (Or spirits not sure) into digital inside this little online simulator where a crash happened and you have to fix the server. The plot is a bit cheesy with all of the ghost clichés it has, especially considering how typical the lifes of the characters are with just a itty bitty twist of horror but the unraveling of it is decent.  You’ll be exploring various memories in the levels rewarded with either notes you can find in a form of a duck inside the level or by the cutscene in the end when you finish the level. It is one of those first person puzzle indie games that try to drag on the blanket of myst yes but this one has quite allot of levels, very nice visuals that fit the description of the game’s theme.  The puzzles are sometimes a bit simple and sometimes a bit MORE COMPLEX as sometimes you’ll be stuck on what seems to be a puzzle that hardly gives you any hints but in the end after many attempts you’ll get it… Except the numbers and colors one. That one was basically impossible without noticing the cords, for your own good experience just put Blue for green, green for red and red for blue. It is somewhat scary, but where it tries to scare you it is either a hit or miss, it isn’t mostly the best of jump scares but the atsmophere in general is an overall enjoyable experience. The cutscenes are probably the most weirdest, off the theme thing inside this game, it is simply out of place and I have no idea who had the idea to make their graphic art style this way. In fact most of the real art done for the game seems painted on a canvas but the CUTSCENES are literally done in this third world country English textbook clip art animation. Like you know those Indian flash animations that teach you English? Well anyways, it is by far the first game I’ve seen with that art style and I hope the last, it just feels odd as if the game was done in parts by different teams where someone made the game and someone made the drawings… Wait that sounds about every game , but they really could of gone for something more of the style of the game itself but then again it would take the illusion of the digital world being different I guess.

Game’s pretty neat, has some original ideas going for it, game’s a bit low budget in some categories but overall the visuals and exploring is nice and for something non-theory and may have some set up to a commentary on online services when in relation to the matter of life. Maybe. Also what is this game's deal with clip art?

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5




MATERIAL SNIPER

MATERIAL SNIPER

By: Next Frame

Year: 2009

Genre: Flash

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Max Payne

Max Payne

By: Rockstar Games

Year: 2001

Genre: Third Person Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

Max Payne 2 The Fall of Max Payne

By: Rockstar Games

Year: 2003

Genre: Third Person Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Max Payne 3 Editor's Choice

Max Payne 3
Art
Note
Eye
Heart

By: Rockstar Games

Year: 2003

Genre: Third Person Shooter

Length: 11 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

To begin talking about Max Payne 3 has to take a time to talk about the reaction of people to its change of style and you know… Talk in general about the new style. Yes the style isn’t darker snowy comic like New Jersey and that already makes pretty much most of the fanbase really worried, and the first previews didn’t help, they showed Max Payne being bald… In Brazil. It doesn’t get more off topic than that, but surprisingly when the game came out, the transition was actually quite well done and most of the fans forgive it. But boy did it did a scare jump on some people. Instead of the old style that was influenced by comics like batman at the time, movies like like the matrix and John Woo films, Max Payne 3 has its own modern influences just like the old ones did such as: Brazilian cult famous movies like Tropa De Elite or Cidade de Deus and allot of American movies with Denzel Washington. The visions clearly show this allot, the blurry static effects and the plot of an ex-cop trying to redeem itself by saving someone are directly token from Man on Fire, while the location and style is direction token from movies like Tropa De Elite. Speaking of plot, the plot starts on an interesting note because it is not linear and later on in the game explains more about Max Payne’s situations, but the basic is that after Max Payne had a couple of years without any action or something has become an alcoholic suicidal ex-cop which becomes a body guard for a family of rich political related people, some argue that the plot didn’t respond that much answers in the end and simply made more questions  but more or less what mattered is at least said in done. What matters the most for me, was the style in general, the style is amazing and goes really well… Plus, if you are still nostalgic about the last Max Payne games being about a dark, cold New Jersey, (I don't wanna spoil but) there is even some levels which have that feeling and are great! And it’s super rare to see some games this stylistic with actual good gameplay, yes good GAMEPLAY! The gameplay is more or less the same from the last Max Paynes but maybe a bit more linear and a bit more with the tendency to be realistic (Like in Max Payne 3 you more or less feel bad sometimes when you kill somebody). I remember so well in the first Max Paynes being so easy to kill one single enemy with a shot and in Max Payne 3 taking a CENTURRY to at least try to shoot in the head, and if you don’t they simply sometimes just get up again and try to shoot you... What is this, Resident Evil 4? Max Payne 3 also introduces a new mechanic which turns pills basically into Super Mario Bro’s mushrooms but with instead of simply getting them right ahead you have a slight chance to shoot the last person who shot you if you have a pill around to use it at the last second so you can survive… This seems all good and all but only if It worked most of the times! Chances are you’ll the man who shot you will be hiding behind a wall you cannot shoot or you ran out of bullets1 and you’ll have to wait a century to actually die because it’s really SLOW time they give you in hopes you shoot your target. Also before every single cutscene of some sort you automatically draw out your pistol even when you are sure you want to use your superior weapon. But now that I’ve pretty much ended with all the issues of the game, the game is simply one of the most action packed games around these years, and that goes for mostly everything, the music, the style, the gameplay and the balls to the walls. The transitions from cutscenes to gameplay are really perfectly done, in fact I haven’t seen a game which has made as good transitions as Max Payne 3 has. And it just makes me happy because I have the priveledge of being both Brazilian and American when it comes to this game mostly because Rockstar has done some geography research! It’s just shocking to see a game that shows Brazil in a more or less realistic way (even if it’s chaotic to do so and sometimes politically challenging to do), all of the locations have had lots of research in general based on the actual places in Brazil and the only problem I found and I MEAN only problem I found was that there where DONUTS… THERE ARE NO SINGLE DONUT IN THE ENTIRE OF BRAZIL, LET ALONE THE A BOX OF STEREOTYPICAL PINK ONES FROM THE SIMPSONS! But the donut thing is later on forgiven for the fact that you find allot of Coshinhas in the police departments. It is also really impressive that the game is really long for an action game; I was honestly in some ways thinking it would be a bit shorter, but it feels really lengthy. It should be noted that the graphics and face detail are really great, REALLY really great, and seem a bit celshaded of how good it’s looking (sorry, Max Payne 3 was my first game I ever played from the actual 7th generation). This could be considered more or less a personal acclaim about the game but the soundtrack was made by one of my favorite bands, and I knew about them before the game and the fact that Rockstar managed to use Health to make the soundtrack just makes me happy fan of the band and the soundtrack’s grimy dirty realistic chaos goes SO Well with health’s rhythm in the drums and stuff.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

Max Payne 3 really is a good example as how high budget series can really be considered artistic, and it is really rare to see normally a game this good both in style and gameplay all around. It is pretty impressive and something you don’t see that much in the gaming industry. Truly one of the best.

MDK2

MDK2

By: BioWare

Year: 2000

Genre: Third Person Shooter, 3D Platformer, Puzzle

Length: 9 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

It’s grimdark yet quirky, there are a lot of character detail with stuff like mouse change and health butthe thing that makes each character good is in fact their witty humor, each level is a character such as, the robotic dog with 4 arms being action scenarios, the sniper with a cone head being sniper scenarios with annoying puzzles and the scientist just being simple puzzles... The game can be tricky because itis notoriously famous for simply having obstruction that will let you stuck, because the game is quite puzzlingly actually. 

Somehow at after one point of the game all goes downhill and it’s incredibly easy to get stuck at every single thing. Puzzles that only work when you stay in one location, stuff that only work in a weird animation, and a ton of other issues related to that which will make one abandon this game. The music is simply kick ass but respawning enemies make everything worse sadly. After that there is not much to say other than the long metal corridors that seem clean but feel a bit empty in the end. 

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5

In the end MDK2 seems like a very good game, but the fact that it suffers so much from badly designed puzzles that are oddly harshly specific. The game is pretty unforgiving sometimes because of this and other issues such as cheap bosses. Yes the game is pretty kick ass (it even stands for Murder death Kill), but all I felt in the end was a pain in the ass.

  

Mega Man 8-Bit Deathmatch

Mega Man 8-Bit Deathmatch

By: CutmanMike

Year: 2010

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+






Melty Blood Act Cadenza Ver.B

Melty Blood Act Cadenza Ver

By: Type-Moon

Year: 2007

Genre: Fighter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger






Merry Gear Solid: Secret Santa

Merry Gear Solid

By: The Podunkian

Year: 2006

Genre: Freeware, Stealth

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger








Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear Solid

By: Konami

Year: 1998/2000

Genre: Stealth, Isometric Shooter

Length: 11 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Do you think love can bloom even on a battlefield? Ah yes, THE Game. The game that was considered the best, to be the one ahead of its time to ever be made! And yes I guess that’s very true. This game has a lot of feature’s I’ll go on saying how advanced it is secretly out though simple at heart. BUT This game is INDEED ahead of its time, It’s been a while since I’ve played it to write this review, so I’ve replayed it again and this is truly that one game in which I go to myself “Wow this was AHEAD if it’s time”… Perhaps because it isn’t that much now WOOPS DIDN’T NEED TO SAY THAT OUT LOUD. To start talking about Metal Gear Solid without noting that it’s artistic features that make it stick out and make it branch off is basically impossible most of the times, the game itself is very simple and is reminiscent of it’s first in the series being a top down stealth game with adventure game characteristics, if not so easier to follow than Zelda but with 3d visuals that let you lean on walls to see who’s coming and pretty interesting stealth engines such as a footprint system or noise. The game has a variation of weapons to use and you have many ways to kill people. Most battles are a bit hard considering most of the strategy is to keep moving or stay in a corner where the enemies can’t shoot you unless you will get too many shots and die, it’s gun systems aren’t the best truly but all this simple gameplay ends up being memorable in all aspects because of THE PRESENTATION. Ok I know I’m being somewhat of a jerk talking about Metal Gear Solid around it’s back like this but c,mon It’s been years and we have to at least look at this game from a different perspective other than the common pandering to it. But let’s face it, it’s true that most people when they think about this game, they think about the memorable presentation, which at its heart is… VERY AHEAD OF IT’S TIME. There didn’t used to be games with this audacity, there didn’t use to have games that comment on what isn’t commented in video games typically, this game is STYLISH AS A MEMORABLE CHEESY MOVIE… But with a little education! And to that, I thank the codex. The codex is possibly one of the greatest things in video gaming ever, the idea of being able to call multiple fictional characters like they are your friend to get very helpful insight and have common conversations about war or in general is too amazing. This game mostly doesn’t need a walkthrough because of it! You’re able to call a character and ask what to do, and this game has so much DIALOG TO OFFER. This game has a lot secretly to offer and that’s mostly what makes it special. It’s commentaries might be considered obvious today but for the day it was released It was considered very important and I do remember playing this back then and be more impressed. Of course, the codex will always impress me. There’s nothing but well acted and well produced dialog in those moments. Onto the other presentations of this game, it does try as hard as it can to be a movie, which has helped it throughout its legacy, there isn’t many video games that have running credits while you play the game, there isn’t many video games that threat themselves this seriously like something else, of course it’s pretentious when you think about it a bit but it’s only because video games aren’t used to being on this level of seriousness and it’s nice to see video games excel in this category. Out though OF COURSE A BIT CHEESY. Even though Metal Gear Solid is all that grim and edgy it still falls as a b-movie situation never the less. Which is great for video games! You will venture around many wacky situations facing characters with insights on war and sad memorable moments, when I think about it too much I’m not entirely sure if Metal Gear Solid is short but it is indeed a memorable experience, LIKE WOW THE PRESENTATION LIKE… The style the SYNTH. I personally blame the Synth you know? The music in this game is amazing and very atmospheric solely because of the synth. In total it’s around 11 few songs and a very sad instrumental opera one they play every time something sad happens. I know it seems I'm not giving Metal Gear Solid the dying attention it needs but trust me, the dialog is pretty cool and the cinematic style is as well.  

Metal Gear Solid is now very well known as one of the most defining games and it kind of deserves it for its memorable style and ideas, the codex being one of the most, never has a game been this beautifully taken care of to be able to take care of itself with characters that actually help you progress. It’s simple at heart but the blood pressure is still pumping.

Also for some odd reason even all patched up to run on modern computers, you must put a USB drive, a pen drive mostly, in one of the USB slots for an odd reason to make the game run, or else it will tell you there isn’t a CD available.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5




Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance Editor's Choice

Metal Gear Solid 2

By: Konami

Year: 2003

Genre: Stealth, Isometric Shooter

Length: 16 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

THE PATRIOTS. I’m going to say my first emotion when experiencing is: Screw the people who did not enjoy its concept. Really, most of the people who are against the simple ideas of this game are the whiniest creatures. It isn’t as flawed as other media products and in what it does, it does very well. (Out though some speeches are worse than others and may just seem like the babbling of a drunk hobo in the street BUT!) I honestly can’t tell much about this game other than “Wow it is a very good way to make a sequel”. In fact it is possibly the best way to make a sequel. There hasn’t been this audacity of flip in ages. I respect its style and visions and how accurate it portrays a very good sequel without losing meaning to being a sequel. This sequel is very special. Everything you know and love from Metal Gear Solid is right here and has it even has its sets of improvements. It is just a great sequel! Yes perhaps it has TOO much backtracking or TOO much crazy plot. This is one of those sequels which takes a singular project and branches it but everything directed and designed is perfectly FIT. Its repetition may be quenched by the many ways you can kill a single person in this game. There are quite a lot of ways. It’s dialog, music and gameplay is pretty nice, maybe a bit harder and more complex than the first one (Like many other stuff in the game). The plot is HUGE and has quite some great symbolism put into it and is HONESTLY OUT THOUGH A BIT MORE CRAZY better written than the first game. Let’s face it, most of this game is BETTER THAN THE FIRST GAME, it’s SUCH A great stealth game never the less even though GOING BACK to a lot of places, but what people don’t get is that the first Metal Gear Solid was indeed worse in these categories, the whole Metal Gear Solid is the best seems like a lame critique when Metal Gear Solid 2 seems obviously way superior and easier to play. The new gun and stealth systems are easier to get behind, the forced bad action gameplay of Metal Gear Solid is gone and most of this game can actually be passed through in many styles of gameplay, also never the less most of the guns are back with some new inclusions that you can find around the way. Yes, of course there isn’t as much of insights of what nuclear war is, out though some of the characters are practically based on it, this one does most war commentary on the side instead of the main road. Either way the presentation is AMAZING. The pacing of this game is absolutely perfect, the characters are great and the plot is very interesting and convoluted. Music is now brand new, of course missing that classic synth and style of the first game but this one is as memorable as the first really, now in the AGE OF MP3 there is not much need for those MIDIs and we get these experimental funky tracks that are bone chillingly cool. I know I put a lot of attention to the fact of people disliking this game and REALLY it’s because it truly is something in the line of history that is one of the many reasons gamers are immature babies pandering to nostalgia, most people do not care at all and shouldn’t be validated, the problem is, they are. This game is SADLY infamous which is weird because it should be considered honestly the best. It really is a pretty good game! But really this is the best sequel since Gremlins 2. 

Truly I recommend this game for anyone who has played the first Metal Gear Solid because it is the only TRUE sequel to its kind, ending up being even better in all categories really. Yes the story will branch off but THIS ONE. This one is THE sequel. This for some ODD REASON is for many the portrait of our soul in terms of video games (The psychological outcomes being that you’re a redefined person who can understand concepts or A WHINY MASCULIST BABY that can’t handle change). It would be nice if you got a brush and started painting your own experience either way. Draw a funny elephant maybe. With a bazooka.

I would also want to advise those wanting to run this game on the computer recently to get some patches, get a program called Creative Alchemy Universal to run the game to fix the no audio problems, for visual problems such as no faces in the codex, go to the game’s options, go to drawing, and set model quality to 2/4. There are many other ways to fix this game but this is the one I’ve attempted. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

Metal Gear Solid V

Metal-Gear-Solid-V-The-Phantom-Pain-–-E3-2013-extended-Trailer-screenshots-Lightninggamingnews-2-1024x576

By: Konami? They died. 

Year: 2015

Genre: Stealth, Third Person Shooter, Sandbox

Length: 30 hours to 200 depending how much you can take

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

You know a couple of years ago I gave GTA IV a 3/5 because the physics felt clunky and in general all of the missions felt like mundane clichés in a boring structure of going to gang to gang doing jobs, I kind of miss that now because at least in GTA IV I was awarded with something to go towards with and be awarded with more progression, MGSV does not have that and it’s been a very long disappointing road towards the release of this game to which when I finally played it, it immediately lost every credibility it had, people are calling this one of the best games ever when it took away everything of what makes the series remotely decent and managed to amplify the negative aspects of it into a badly planned and horribly written repetitive mess. I feel as if the standard for Sandbox games have never been as low as this game has, before we go into this whole developing timeline of failure it should be noted that this is actually an unfinished game and that news source isn’t being spread as much because of the sake of fans not handling the truth, there has been countless development issues, many mummers of Hideo Kojima being angry with both the abusive company he had to put up with, himself as a mediocre writer not being able to flesh out the series due to a lack of funding and of course the clock ticking as multiple games came out before his, including GTA V which surpasses his game in all advancements.

STORY (what most fans are flocking to i guess)

If plot is the thing that interests you the most in this series than it fails there too, even if in general the Metal gear series can be seen as silly or just plain ridiculous at least it had some humor in those regards to offer, I will cut your hopes right here, this entry has almost nothing to offer, to which must be the reason the pacing is so bad. I still cannot get over the fact that a game’s pacing can be as bad as this with working with only 1 plot device, to think that some of this was commercialized is horrible, to KNOW that what they showed in the spanning trailers vaguely is all they had is completely idiotic! It is so weird that expectancies would play such a major role in this game’s plot and this was such a mistake in so many ways, it actually made people think what they were going in for was a worthy substitute, by the time you reach the knowledge of whatever drove those cool looking scenes to be what those scenes are in the game, you’ll notice that it isn’t all that special or cool without the placement of, everyone was promised something dark, something shocking, and out though yes, MGSV touches on more subjects regarding actual war crimes like burning the corpses of children or biological warfare, even hinting at human organ trade in a single boring mission more than the usual in the series which often panders to the silly Anime-esqué ideas, it all falls flat… Like by the point MGSV tried to take on serious issues, almost every single video game has and what this entry does is nothing special in fact it’s the worst I’ve seen, the people behind it must have been really under a rock to think to themselves “Yeah this is going to shock their socks off! GOD I love that there’s a lot of torture scenes!”, it’s not only tasteless but the shock value they added in for the sake of taking the series into a dark turn only shows how outdated their ideas were because it just not working, we were promised (I guess, if you consider the illusion and show they put up in the trailers with dramatic music a promise) a dark tell showing how Big Boss became the villain in the end, but in the end, nothing really connects. You’ll notice a lot of assumptions in game, the game will assume you that Big Boss is a demon considering the very first words he tells himself (Big Boss barely at all talks in this game due to the expensive voice acting of Keith Sutherland, weirdly while making every character be voiced by the usual cartoon voice actor, showing a very weird contrast) is just “I’m already a demon” which carries a lot of weight to fans because it became some sort inside joke with many, but the very phrase and how it is placed is never really that justified, the case here is that he is just some random guy angry someone exploded his base and he was in a Coma for 9 years… OH and he some sort of a thorn in his head now that makes him look like he has demon horns and that makes him hallucinate… Hmm, I wonder how that will come into play in almost every single way for the cheapest shots… Okay? This is what we are working with? This whole “Demon” thing is plain old tactics in making you believe that something with a lot of depth is occurring because as the game goes, you’re still a good guy, even when he tells himself he’ll do anything to get money (I guess boring missions truly does make the player feel like they’re in hell) in the end his MORAL aura of “PERFECT CHARACTER” is still there, woopie, and that’s only scrapping the surface, because Big Boss barely feels like main character at all in this game, not to say the other characters aren’t bad either but at least they have a carbon box personality (They have 1 running gag in their writing cycle and they continue to pursue it no matter what, usually based on the theme of ‘revenge’), but yeah I think the main idea I want to stand out is how trailers of this game completely lied to us, for everything really, not only the protagonist, in general there are various examples of these short comings, including the assumption that Skull face is a big deal, Skull face  is the biggest example of why MGSV’s writting is one of the worst I’ve ever seen, he is a tacked on villain that comes out of nowhere, has a few things to say and then dies. He was supposedly the main motivation of this game, the thing that was holding everything together and by the point you actually get to talk with him, you realize “Oh…” all of the expectancies of this plot being good flies away in an instance when he begins to talk, the pacing of this game was so long, so aggravating to endure, that finally being able to experience the villain this game is so bold to tease you with being nothing but a living plot device that is ridiculous, so lacking in everything around him it’ll make you feel as if you both have met more than once because it just feels as if multiple scenes prior (or during even) were cut off and then die immediately after the reveal was an end in believing anything of good would of came out of this. Before this a few actions happened like saving African children, there were a lot of bad twists too and they are all mostly bad because by the point you reach them it’s already dull, to cut you off from also experiencing disappointment let me tell you that of the plot device of this game is apparently fictional super parasites that defy logic by means of sci-fi, once that is revealed nothing else matters anymore, meaning all of that horrible pacing and structure was all a one trick pony. A pony that wears make up clown which when behind the blinds you saw a shadow of just a regular well-defined horse. How’s about that for symbolism? Because it already seems better than the ones they tried to pull off here by comparing the character to Captain Ahab from Moby Dick (another inside joke during development), nothing really feels that impactful other than being seen as a joke. Is it a good joke though? No, I would say the other series were funny by how ridiculous they were, this one is just the humor I get out of mocking its attempt of being something other than that. If you think MGSV was going to resolve anything, you are completely wrong, it might seem as if it’s going to hint at something greater: for example, 2 of the characters in the series later will have young versions of themselves but is almost only there for the sake of reference, as far as everyone else as a character is either dead or turn into a generic running gag, at worst they are characters for the sake of being characters (there are too much of these), sure they have backstory, they have the Metal Gear Solid charm which I guess is babbling about stuff in a general aura of “If I say these really common logic things with a little historical background except act deep about it and add sci-fi maybe it will seem educational and perhaps even subtle!, but going back to the resolving, the entry that supposedly did that was MGS4 which resolved all of the convoluted entries of multiple linages built throughout the series with very long cutscenes, MGSV, due to being the result of harsh criticism of people saying MGS4 was a movie, became the complete opposite… Yet… Still keeping the negative features of the last entry and amplifying them. Again looking at this series one last time before it hopefully just DIES you can only imagine how much sorrow a critic can have seeing this amount of bullshit unfold.  It’s kind of weird manipulative tactic to have a game that is so lacking in convoluted content in this series make you be thankful for all of the other mediocre shit even if it’s bad in another perspective. This was meant to be a prequel right? Well I think this game has given me more so of the reason to teach me something obvious it shouldn’t have taught me that a prequel shouldn’t be its standalone story, which it is, sure some things hinted at, do unfold later in the series but notice how I use the word “hint” a lot, the connection isn’t well made and it ends up with a huge gap which can only be filled with you guessing if this transcends to that. One thing certainly does as the timeline responds how things went obviously, the others? Not so much, the entire generic characters are mostly abandoned, the plot device isn’t ever relevant in the series again (Another reason why to stick with what you have other than build an entire new set of rules to which in the end all that matters is the beginning and the end). Really, plot wise, that’s all it is, it’s just the beginning and the end that actually matter. Nothing else, which is why everything is badly written and has no weight to it. An extreme amount of filler and as I said before, Skull Face is still the best example of the direction of this. But then again this image as well is an excellent example as it speaks for itself:

“The Missing Link” was obviously for everyone: why Big Boss became a villain, and I mean that in general you know? Don’t play coy with me, I mean “Villain” in any possible perspective this series can pull off, It is obvious that the amount of plot holes in MGSV shows that they clearly forgot the plot they wrote 20 years later or simply do not want to address it. But what is sad is not only the plot holes in this transition, is how many there is between the actual game and how it cannot sustain itself at all with its logic.  There is no consistency what so ever and some characters have less personality than the random Dog you can recruit. This is a fucking mess, this is worse than Legend of Zelda’s timeline it truly became whatever it wants to be without actually fulfilling its own deeds. There is no possible way that this was that hard to write and deliver, to the point any fan can pick an election of random clichés and fulfill them greatly more than MGSV could ever do. 

It took them all the time to solve a simple element with all of the possible filler but forgot to solve the only important ones. An unbelievable level of disregard for how things come to be, for how plans in writing are made. 

 GAMEPLAY

There has been spoken word of Chapter 3 being canceled and various other things, which only raises more questions, was there also a chapter 4? Chapter 5? More plans canceled? What if (~)20 out of 50 main missions weren’t the only plot-heavy and worthwhile missions? Which brings us another issue, how the game unfolds as an actual game, now most people who play MGSV at first expect an amazing game with greatness everywhere at first sight, this is mostly because of the shell shock experience that is Ground Zeroes, Ground Zeroes is no matter what some die hard idiot fans might say a paid DEMO, and with MGSV out this only proves it even more because it literally feels as if the flashback scene they have once arriving mother base was literally there for the sole intention of placing that single map. Ground zeroes was a single base with multiple mundane missions besides the single main mission, and with that you got out of it thinking “Wow that was a boring waste of money”, with that in mind you take a feel for the controls and how missions usually go out right? (Third person shooter with alright commands, a FPS mode but general boring tasks). Now what if I told you that MGSV weirdly out though being bigger with the RPG elements, the more items you can obtain has the same exact structure? Would that blow your mind? The fact that the Demo was in fact a demo as it did tease how repetitious this entire experience would be. 

If you like the concept of having a few stages to repeatedly go around multiple times be it given by the force of side-missions or literal rebranding of the main ones, then by the end of this game you’ll probably hate it. But that’s just me expecting too much of you noticing how unjustified it is to give you multiple missions in the same exact bases over and over to those who expect something greater out of Chapter 2 and not the same mission except with the inability of it’s openness to approach violently. Completely dismissing a core element of “It is how you want to play it”. 

But let’s talk about Chapter 1 first, yes it’s pretty obvious that if you played this game for it’s secondary elements you would quickly notice how that fresh new world was taken away from you by the sheer force of repetitive missions. You’ll sooner realize that what was given to you by that point is all you have, and it would’t be that bad if it was just that once and you had a ways of dealing with it but no, it is force fed to you, this short amount of bases on a small land within 2 countries is all you have, there’s no way of dealing with it because it always regenerates and respawns, there’s no satisfaction given in doing a base over and over but it is mainly like this probably because of 1 mechanical reason which is the grinding of this game. 

Ground Zeroes actually made players thirsty for this mechanic, it was the only thing Ground Zeroes didn’t have and the upper hand to less monotonous gameplay, in Ground Zeroes you were forced to get multiple people and put them in a helicopter, in TPP you are able to simply extract people once you get the Fulton extractor. But… The Fulton extractor doesn’t fully work yet, you will have to get money from missions, capture specific people, and get collectibles around the place. This is a tactic. Notice how thirsty you are to just keep on going until you can finally upgrade yourself, notice that this is the very only thing holding you back and motivating to play more. This is also frequent in weapons, vehicles, ANIMALS, soldiers, abilities and almost everything, EVEN MUSIC which was almost removed completely for copyrighted music you find around and is a collectible in itself (There isn’t even that many, this is so bad in comparison to games that just let you listen to the music already). Everything has a chore for it, everything has a waiting time for things to progress, everything is a mini-game on it’s own no matter how unsatisfying it is. 

Note that this is a design choice, there is no actual need for this type of structure to be placed as you could simply program wild animals and keep them as part of the game without making them feel like an extra chore, there was no actual need to make base building wait in a real time of 3 hours, as missions can actually be beaten under 10 minutes if done without regards, there was no need to make you feel this puny in this weird set of progression and pacing. No reason of course other than: To expand longevity in the game to think you’re having a good experience, god it’s almost exactly the same issue Simon’s Quest had years ago.  And it’s weird because the concept of Sandbox games and how to design them well without them being empty and devoid of content by Japanese developers has been an active issue throughout the years hasn’t it? I guess that’s more of an economic issue but otherwise when it comes towards that I think Dead Rising actually did a good job, Dead Rising did have a lot of repetitive tasks (saving people) but it also had a lot to offer and certainty was more exciting with it’s limited space than MGSV has. Which, also has zombies by the way. Why? Fuck if I know, nothing is done interesting with it in the end anyways so it doesn’t matter, just filler. 

Whenever I feel the achievement of that “Wow I’ve made it this far to get this gun that basically makes me invincible” i feel guilt. Not even with the small things like refined combat or overpowered features can let me enjoy this game for just a second without any remorse. I know very well that deep inside that this is not a reward, this a punishment for thinking investing my time with this game would actually end somewhere nicely that wasn’t Chapter 2. 

Chapter 2

If you thought the game felt bad during Chapter 1 where it had multiple mundane missions only to be followed in the very end a sequence of almost a thousand of where the game’s budget went to. Well fellow, you are in a tough luck of shit for Chapter 2, because I have never seen anything as bad as Chapter 2, truly, Chapter 2 feels like an post-end game experience and not an actual important scenario, but weirdly enough, Chapter 2 is where they decided to put all of the important plot and with what you can only progress if you do the same missions again except harder with only a very few original ones set in small locations, this is all progressed with the chance of triggering a cutscene depending on the aftermath of what you are doing… Which made me come to the realization, this became Harvest Moon: A wonderful life, i’m grinding doing the same actions over and over, sometimes when use a door i trigger a cutscene depending on my bond levels… You get the idea. 

Chapter 2 is one of the weirdest experiences I had to tolerate I have never seen such a game’s pacing be this badly designed. It doesn’t help that the best designed level in all of the entire game (where Skull face is) just happened moments ago. This is where the game actually starts being disturbing instead of the usual tease found in Chapter 1, stuff starts to get down around the base, shit happens… Does it matter? No, but shock value and cheap shots are the only things you can experience now outside of re-doing missions so might as well enjoy it through a layer of irony. 

With all the characters present in Chapter 2, they do get more fleshed out to which in the end like I’ve said, it might explain why 2 out of 1 million plot holes, but I still feel as if even with the backstory obviously presented they are the still characters which running clichés  fill in the void, the only good example of this would be Code Talker, Code Talker is the last character you have and that the more you know about them the more you feel refreshed because you notice how close he is to this plot MGSV built up no matter how fucking dumb it is and how much the series would be better off if it just didn’t exist, the same goes with the complete opposite Huey, everything around him in Chapter 2 resolves something for the worst. One expands the current plot while the other hunts it down. Seems like one hell of a weird set of character organization to me. Is it reasonable? Fuck no. Nothing in this game is. Everything is a living parody of itself.

Some verdicts

I really wanted this to be a good game, I really do, fuck, if they did more unique missions, made the grinding a little it smoother and placed the random cutscenes around chapter 2 more spread around the entire game rather than hoard them all towards the re-doings of missions maybe it could of excused the horrible plot it didn’t do a good job of hiding. Maybe it would of convinced people that it is actually meaningful. They could of had in mind a signal finalize rather than a spin-off to a a sequel that will never happen.

Has there been an outstanding element of effort? Yes, yes there has, to the point everyone involved with this project is going bankrupted as we speak, they put a lot of budget into a high amount of mundane things, mostly programming-wise from how each individual animal acts, or how the scenery and general engine looks, in fact almost every model in this might as well have cost 1 million dollars each. It’s just a pity that they didn’t bring that funding attention to a lot of places where it seems lacking. Everything felt like a last thought you know? Because apparently if almost every scene was already available during E3 years ago that means that everything else is pretty much bullshit and they forgot to make it. You can pinpoint exactly where they had to cut off some stuff, it’s so fucking sad like really. At first I felt a lot of anger but now it’s just one of the most depressing things I’ve seen in video game development, especially for 2015. It’s also funny that they made a PS4 modeled after this game. Everything surrounding this through the harsh reality is a sad remark and I know that a lot mindless people that will bat an single eye-patched eye and not analyze what is actually going on, this was indeed a phantom pain for actual critics, the experience of lacking and losing half the worth of something mediocre already. It’s a “sandbox” game with a serious lack of consistency, if you notice even the worst sandbox game, the clunkiest of them all at least had unique missions that all follow a series of natural progression with rewards and different themes, no matter how bad. Another thing is it’s “customization” you can customize music, base color, base emblem, the soldiers you have to organize in your base (which is like list mini-game of collectible soldiers of various skills, and in general color a short amount of objects with a limited amount of colors you can use. That’s it, whatever anyone has told you, you are limited to how you can customize parts on a gun too and that’s a late feature, this is definitely not Animal Crossing where you can put furniture around, it is as linear as it can be operating through a dull menu.

And do people still defend it? Yes, they do, because they awaited this game for so long they wouldn’t know a single thing about short expediencies, this might as well be their very first sandbox game considering how many of the series aren’t really in touch with things (especially war, too many fake ideas video games give you might make you think that). 

I would not trust anyone would take this game to heart, I wouldn’t trust people who think this game is perfect in all ways and I would definitely not trust people who dare to call this the game of the generation, especially when there are better paced games with more content, more fluidity, and in general more to offer than singular run between 2 maps that were made to seem longer in the most boring way possible to the point that it makes the very stealth system that might seem perfect be ruined within circumstance. These critics that love this game so much might as well be critics who gave Sleeping Dogs a very low score when that was a Sandbox game with more artistic integrity and better pacing than sandbox games had in ages. There were so many known ideas in this genre and they decided to tackle onto it without any experience.

…And with all of that said I’m going to safely assume that Metal Gear Rising is the only good Metal Gear title. Seems to have no flaws to me and took a simple nice approach to a ridiculous plot. No really this game gave me such a sour taste for this series and I'm glad with I'm done with it. But at least Metal Gear Rising is fun and exciting unlike this. 

Metro 2033Editor's Choice

Metro 2033

By: THQ

Year: 2009

Genre: FPS

Length: 12 Hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Art
Vein
Tear
Eye
Heart

For many: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.’s more linear cousin that chosen a different path in style (sorry had to put that out), but for me it’s a really legit decent atmospheric fps game. The game does reference Roadside Picnic, but of course this video game is completely based on an entirely different novel of more or less the same genre!  For starters, the game has actual civilizations, instead of huge landscape made for treasure hunters across the world, the land outside is destroyed and impossible to live in while the sewers have some supplies for people to survive, the game ends up being more realistic and humble in terms of settings, also better writing in general I guess considering it is more based off the book than S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is, you control Artyom, a random soldier which was a son of someone important and you’re mission is to send a message to stop mutants from overthrowing the bases, you have a long journey going through various bases underground until you find something that can help with the problem.  You go from point A to B, paying attention to the little amazing details, killing enemies now and then. Has a very interesting mechanics of weapons, most have a great variation of functions in fact I simply love the way you can interact with some of them by either pushing or pumping in a separate mode, and in general has amazing immersion with the gas mask watch checking, a battery for your flashlight, different types of ammo and way much more. Characters, dialog, plot, pacing, atmosphere in general are one of the best I’ve ever seen in gaming. One of the most special parts of the game are the cities you go in between the action packed sewers, there you can buy ammo… Using ammo, and listen very closely of the issues at stake and how people live in the sewers, it’s hard a bit to listen due to that it is a city and everyone is talking constantly, but if you stand right next close you can hear about it. The plot is just so easy to follow, there is nothing that is misunderstood or anything as you play the game, every aspect is explained more and more as you play, that or you have a horrible interpretation. The game is simply grime, dirty and the shiny graphics. Locations are very varied and feel special when you get there, the plot of Metro 2033 can be a bit random at times but it’s just like coincident over coincident making the game an entertaining rat race for the protagonist, you will find various likable characters that are very interesting.  Cutscenes in the first person view are really well made and I just love how this is a game full of animation throughout all of the experience.  Each chapter of some sort has the monologues of the character you control, Aryom, even though he is the typical silent protagonist he talks quite allot in his journals. The ammunition in this game is also the currency, and depending on how you play the game you may run out of ammunition, the ammunition is a special kind of bullet though, a golden one, so it is easier to avoid using them by switching into regular ammo instead of using your currency, that is, if you care for buying items. Stealth in this game can be a bit low quality compared to the games at the time, you cannot take down or anything, and most of time you would get inside a huge fight with everyone, maps are well designed for battle grounds though all around which makes it a fun experience, and on another hand some stealth segments work better with attachments you can buy for your guns such as silencers which are mandatory in some occasions, survival ideals given in this game are quite brilliant and cute, you have gas masks to stock on in case you have no good air to breathe, you have a limited number of bullets you must take care of, every single combat in this game is a bit “you do something wrong and you die”. But the game is a bit more forgiven than others of its kind, it has this somewhat type of regenerative health that made me somewhat confused, I was not sure if it was regenerating or not but apparently it regenerates REALLY slowly and by using med kits (in a regenerative health game apparently) you regenerate faster.  Sound design is excellent, pipes sing, doors creaking, mutants roaring it’s all quite good and adds to the creepy atmosphere the game has. Many people happen to hate forced Russian acting, I quite enjoy it though, I cannot lie that there is a limited resource of voice actors inside this game though, you may hear a voice actor once or twice being the same but the length of dialog everyone says in this makes up for it.

Experiencing this game is just bone chilling and mind blowing, I did honestly not expect to be that interesting and it caught me off guard and it is really sad nobody appreciate the number of golden effort put inside a masterpiece of a game like this, it is one of those games that I would play a second time on a harder difficulty to enjoy more deeply…Deep like the  tunnels the people live in.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5


Mickey's 123's: The Big Surprise Party

Mickey's 123's The Big Surprise Party

By: Distinctive Software Inc.

Year: 1993

Genre: Educational

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Minecraft

Minecraft

By: Mojang

Year: 2009/2011

Genre: FPS, RPG, Sandbox

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/'''''1 Player Shinaz Larger+

Minecraft is a sandbox game filled with blocks, you can mine diamond blocks and chop down block trees, turn those blocks into tools or weapons, defend yourself against block monsters and explore a randomly generated block land and use those blocks to build something you can live in, and even create stuff with the blocks you mine like… DOOR… To use on your block home you made for yourself.  This is all given with a theme of survival and is actually pretty much the ideal way to play the game considering this was mostly a mission most give each other while starting Minecraft to begin with... Other than that the game is completely empty, COMPLETELY empty. You could explore and find something to do but most results are not really achieving. My opinions are mixed truly, because I have both gone through stages of grief and hatred and stages of acceptance and peacefulness. Yes the game is mediocre, but I do consider one can find fun with it in a short period of time, it is not indeed a perfect game or a game that should be compared to games with a higher development of course considering it is indeed way more flawed than almost every video game.  I think something that damaged Minecraft in its development run was… Well… Honestly everything this game has a very chaotic development history and all of it is just negative and nothing feels like an additional benefit. The game does not try to push anything at all, it is the most empty hearted “guy in the basement made the game” set of game, it is completely bland in almost every aspect from combat just being enemies that go directly to you, no real animations, the worst a.i, relies on userbase too much, NPCs that do nothing, an obnoxious slapped on final boss, boring dungeons, no uniqueness, too simple, based off an existing game, bad server service, extreme lack of variation or extreme lack of effort in variation and most importantly of all gets boring really quickly. This is all a very short review in itself and all that could be said could end right here right now but I’ll continue to other topics.

I think Minecraft would have been better if more contained or at least give the options it originally had included in the full version, the full version feels incredibly useless because there is no end in a randomly generated map as you go so the only goals you can set for yourself is to either take control of various biomes and connect them with train stations or set the more radical and more common idea which is to, hang out with friends and basically make a themed map filled with houses of each people. Which was what Minecraft always featured from the start but now comes with the survival elements that are so dearly and crucial to the game’s development. But yes, considering it’s a never ending sandbox the game only stays entertaining for a couple of hours until you already find everything within the game you need to find. The “Ending” of the game for starters is already a big mess because all it is a boring quest to find orbs to fight a really bad dragon at the end of the game that is not well programmed. These things are not the things Minecraft excels at and are really BAD and should be ignored completely much like the game itself.  The game loses all its appeal after 2 hours of wandering and noticing there’s not very much to do, to keep on within a video game designing something forever and ever in this single lazy engine is just boring and unfulfilling in the end.  Do not trust those who say it’s a good experience, it is definitely not and they are lying to themselves so that it’s less painful to waste their time on basically nothing.

The spawn of Minecraft in the world was both a negative and beneficial thing (I’m honestly not sure if there’s anything beneficial that much); there are SEVERAL things Minecraft ruined that they had a chance to make the game better.

In the end what we got was one of the worst video games ever to be made only to be pandered by people with absolutely no life and no standards. An absolutely lazy building game with lack of features (in which were removed even)and not many legitimate reasons to keep on playing amongst other negative things. It is not a finished product with abandoned ideas and it barely feels crafted.

Shinaz Star Rating 2 out of 5

                    

Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine

Monaco What's Yours Is Mine

By: Pocketwatch Games

Year: 2013

Genre: Neither Arcade Nor Stealth

Length: 4 hours until you drop out.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/''''' '''''1 Player Shinaz Larger'''''1 Player Shinaz Larger'''''1 Player Shinaz Larger'''''1 Player Shinaz Larger

A SOMEWHAT of a stealth game (Out though you do not need stealth at all) and a somewhat of an arcade game (Out though I wouldn’t really be coming back to input more quarters)and the theme is, a heist in a very French looking scenario. You’ll go through banks, houses, casinos and others like they were little mazes collecting coins and avoiding guards (If you really need to). Monaco is weirdly enough a combined concept of stealth and arcade… With things such as unlocking doors, using disguises, getting weapons, breaking through windows, hacking security cameras with a simple holding push of your body with a loading grid from a top town perspective. Out though at first the top down perspective is very cool looking and interesting for the fact that you can see what only your character sees, and honestly I’m not entirely sure how well they managed to program this but either way that is the only key interesting visual, the levels, because almost everything else is just blocks with little twigs for arms. As much as I want to have a lot to keep talking about the game and what you got to do to beat a single level, to get straight to the point the game gets boring really fast. The most typical stealth can win a simple level, what they introduce don’t change the game that much, you can simply run past almost every level, there’s just no consistency and there was never a feeling of accomplishment or excitement as everything just came and go. At core the mechanics are very boring and aren’t exciting at all, classes almost don’t mean anything in a game like this because all they do is save 1 second for each thing in total in a game where you could care less how you do something to get to the end. It seems the French manage to make a very boring product once again, because even with huge variation of things to do within one map none of it feels good. It is a game that would make someone sensible stop playing it from how dull it is after playing 2 levels a day.  The music is very minimalistic and fits the tone of how dull the game is, It just seems like an empty round with bad sound quality of a single piano. The entire soundtrack is just this simple piano playing and even though it changes pace when you alert guards it still isn’t entertaining at all. Also I’ll consider not going through the chore of even mentioning the plot considering there’s a chance it isn’t even the game’s plot but a reference of some sorts to something else.

The game just feels very laid back, nothing you do extra matters or nothing you do less matters as well because the ending of a level just does not feel good, mistakes mean nothing, successes mean nothing, you can play any way you want but both ways it feels like a failure. If you try to do the mission too fast you end up missing all of the unnecessary complexity and it just doesn’t feel right for clearing fastly with its slow mechanics, if you do the mission too slow it just bores you because you could easily just do something wrong but hide and forget about everything, again there is no real penalty in this game. What's sad is that everyone I personally know who I asked about this game had a very bad experience and not one single review mentions the general down experience about it, as if most are defending the game rather than actually criticizing it. 

It is basically a more boring version of Pac-Man. And I ironically feel stolen from a badly heist game. Wait… Wait… I got a another one, this one’s a geographical joke. I don’t have a problem with small countries, just small pixels. 

          

Shinaz Star Rating 2 out of 5

                 

Mondo Medicals

Mondo Medicals​

By: Cactus Year: 2007

Genre: FPS, Freeware, Puzzle

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Mônica Dentuça

Mônica Dentuça

By: Melhoramentos

Year: 1996

Genre: Educational, Point and Click

Length: 30 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger








Mr. Potato Head Activity Pack

Mr

By: Hasbro Interactive

Year: 1998

Genre: Educational, Mini-games

Length: 30 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Nightmare House 2

Nightmare House 2

By: We Create Stuff

Year: 2010

Genre: FPS, Mod

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Nikujin

Nikujin

By: Ikiki

Year: 2006

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger







Noitu Love

Noitu Love

By: Konjak

Year: 2006

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Noitu Love 2

Noitu Love 2

By: Konjak

Year: 2008

Genre: Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




No One Lives Forever

No One Lives Forever

By: Monolith Productions

Year: 2000

Genre: FPS

Length: 14 long hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

No One Lives Forever, it’s kind of off for me take on the perspective that this game might be mediocre considering it has been critically acclaimed by almost everyone (except one person I found out that I shared similar opinions with on metacritic that gave it 70) But it just seems like a baseless criticism that has been done only by people who never came out of their pc gaming caves to actually review. It is filled with effort with its only wacky 70s style and using 007 movies as the theme, I want to be really clear at the start of this review I won’t be reviewing the petty things such as artistic merits that much because it seems to be all what the others are caring for and the humor isn’t even THAT good in this game, I’m going completely for design this time (Pacing in plot and long dialog is still design in a way), either way you control a woman who is one of the first women to work at the secret place for agents, it all seems like it’s going to be an extreme game filled with options and RPG mechanics but considering this is a FPS video game in the age where everyone immediately forgot how to design a FPS game and seem to think Half-Life was the first FPS ever and restarted all development of FPS games to that day while ignoring a huge number of past examples who did the job better I don’t think this truly seems like the game that deserved due to dumb circumstances get accepted like crazy. Does this game expect me to die? No, this game expects me to talk about it being too easy.

It starts off presenting itself with a lot of innovation but for some odd reason in the first seconds of the actual game it becomes this really low quality FPS action game with either no challenge or some unfair challenge. The game is all talk and style but when it actually tries to do something it seems to just be a generic thing. It presents itself as if there is something other than going to point A to point B guns a blazing but truly is it is just mostly guns blazing. Stealth is just such an unnecessary option! There are no need for gadgets when you can just fly through the door, no need for complexity in bullet types if the ammo switching doesn’t work (The ammo switches on by itself, I want to conserve strong ammo that makes my enemies bleed (I’m not entirely sure why most die at one shot later on but still I want regular ammo). Everything in terms of design seems a bit bad anyways, most of the time you`ll be fighting against 5 guys or just 1 guy out of nowhere in a long wide corridor. People complement this? Really all I had was a dull action segment after the another one, it is not a good way to start a game right off by telling you what side of the screen the enemy is coming to shoot them with your sniper rifle. A snipping segment of all things. This game’s filled with bad segments. Amongst a sequence of James Bond scenarios which are somewhat cool to see but nothing really that impressive, stuff such as: falling from an airplane gunning down people, scuba diving and riding a motorcycle (which they give you an annoying tutorial for, this game gives you a lot of useless tutorials for the most basic stuff). Either way going back, almost everything are LONG corridors and open areas with dumb enemies that die in 1 shot. I get that they’re going for a more action approach (even though most talk about how it’s a complex game sometimes, are you sure about that? Are you sure this game has stealth options) but even if these standards game have done better than it, there are actual 007 games on the market that have more complexity than this game when it comes to spying, No One Lives Forever barely has keys or a map that has a pathway that isn’t simply a corridor or stairs going up. It is a collection of corridors that lead to stairs not a living room with 3 doors that go to separate other doors. What I’m getting at is that levels are insanely small and can actually be beaten in 1 to 2 minutes if you’re into speedrunning and stuff like that. The game does not what choose a side to pick between complex and simple and on top of that it does not step up its game. Everything about the game is easier when you realize it is not that innovative or modern at all but just trying to be a more traditional FPS game... Which is confusing, because the game acts like it isn’t one.

Not only is it a James Bond homage of some sorts it also tends to be a bit wacky it seems, and there’s a really odd balance in the theme, the main characters are all extremely serious, but the villains and random people are not, the thugs will say humorous unexpected humor even a kid could laugh at, civilians will say sex jokes and one of the bosses is one of those opera Vikings that only attacks you when her music is playing on the boom box (I’ve been killing people too realistically for out of nowhere this become like a super Nintendo game). It does excel though in its silliness and humor for what I guess sometimes such as an enemy dying and a guard next to him asking “Are you ok?”, but it gets quickly boring much like the supposedly interesting dialog. The cutscenes lose their charm 3 levels in as nothing shows to be that extraordinary and happens to be really long. Plus a running gag that is “SEXISM EXISTED IN THE 70s”. The cutscenes aren`t really satisfying to be that long, yes there is plot that introduces silly characters every now and then and yes there are twists but I’m not entirely sure if I should feel amused by how basic it all is. They are all anti-climactic, most of this game is anti-climactic, not a single temperature to be raised, even a level that sends you into space is a bit typical because it’s mostly got the idea from 007 and all characters talk in a monotone voice so it isn’t exciting. Also the music’s ok for 70s spy music.

Due to lack of enemy in some places it ends up not even excelling in the action because of how boring the time laps of empty space and how lacking the danger is! But let’s talk about what makes this game special for the last time (I won’t say much about how useless stealth is because I think we have estabilished that). Much like goldeneye all this game has to offer these body mechanics that make bodies wobble when you shoot them! Other than that there are secret files you can grab around I don’t even know why I bother to in the first place collect the additional stuff they simply will not help you at all during gameplay and aren’t necessary at all. Everything extra just doesn’t come naturally into play, you would have to force yourself to play the game in the weirdest way that doesn’t fit to ever play this game in a stealth way, just to get useless extra points at the end of a stage. And even if you were in a situation where you HAVE to use stealth (Let`s say you got TOO carried away to the point you have 3 health) dragging the people to an end of a corridor is extremely easy and no bullet will come your way this way! So all it becomes is “more strategic”. But yes it is truly a product of its time, compared to what it was going against i guess it was FINE . It has fewer features than a Nintendo 64 game though. Maybe the critics just didn’t have that much standards or they just don’t notice other games exist outside of Half-Life.

I know it may seem as if I just insult every aspect of this game that is SOMEHOW critically acclaimed but it just feels lacking, nothing is really that fun and it feels really empty and dull. It doesn’t even have a reason if missions are just sometimes “grab a thing to get a thing” if they all just ends up as “Shoot everyone”.

I can understand why in some occasions some would consider it mindless fun with lots of gun. It can be pretty extreme and filled with enemies to kill but my problem is that it overshadows anything else and makes it feel useless and how it just gives out the point of how more profitable it is to just play it as it was a regular game and not a stealth game.

This game might as well be either a lesser birth baby of Goldeneye on the Nintendo 64 or what happens when they try to make a Goldeneye game on the PC and get carried away and forget what’s what. Essentially what you end up with is a worse designed Goldeneye for N64, lacking keys, stealth, more guns, and more contained missions that are more fun and not pesky fetch quests. Instead we get these REALLY boringly written cutscenes that sneak in sexism as much as POSSIBLE to an annoying point. We get it, it was the 70s! So is this it? The day a PC game is literally praised for SO MUCH yet everything so far it has done has been done in a First person shooter game for the Nintendo 64! (To be honest Half-Life was the first one to prove how downhill it went). Turok had more going for it! I would also like to add it’s extremely imbecile to ignore the views of game design when Monolith Studios ended up making one of the best FPS games ever made a million times better than this in the future, F.E.A.R.. You know what nevermind NOLF is probably just an old outdated FPS game but why people lie about it being so special is beyond me. FPS games are FPS games but Ooh! When a game out of nowhere in the new age of Half-Life simply puts an OPTIONAL stealth feature that hardly works it’s all special and stuff!

IS it better than Half-Life? Definitely! Even though it looks like a Half-Life mod (Sierra is somewhat involved with this so it makes sense). But that isn’t a good excuse for everything. It is an improvement over many who are similar to its kind (this game oddly has a type, a type you don’t see that much because most have abandoned the type of game it portrays).But the kind wasn’t that good to begin with. Its type has aged and it really doesn’t have all that to offer even if it is a full package filled with maps of nothing but James Bond scenarios except in a video game with pinch of Austin Powers… To be honest this could just be homage to Austin Powers because all that is there is in Austin Powers.

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5


No one Lives Forever is definitely not game of the year material and it’s being disqualified from the G.O.T.Y. for being a lousy agent. I would not recommend this game for someone who needs something to spy on but I MIGHT recommend it to those who want to go guns blazing in silly missions, even though there are games with better guns... Without going straight to point A to point B doing annoying mini-tasks such as planting bombs.

Normal Super Mario Bros.

Normal Super Mario Bros.

By: gamester

Year: 2009

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length: 5 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

YAHOO! Probably one of my favorite video game parody series ever! Normal Super Mario Bros. is a parody of the famous Super Mario Bros. and the concept is pretty much one of the easiest jokes you could go for when you think about Mario Bros… Drugs. In the first seconds of the game you find a strange purple block, the description of the game tells you shouldn’t touch it at all otherwise strange stuff will happen, problem is if you try to proceed without hitting the purple block it simply doesn’t let you pass further you have NO choice to not choose not to hit the purple block. Once you hit the purple block a fuzzy from Super Mario World 2 touches you and you start to TRIP OUT AND WOAAAAAAAAAH THE WHOLE PLACE IS MELTING AND IN RAINBOWS YO TOAD THANK YOU FOR THE TANK LET’S BLAST SOME ARNOLDS ON THESE AWESOME FACES! STOMPING ON BILL CLINTON AND FIGHTING AGAINST SUB ZERO, RUNNING FROM MEGA BOWSER AND THEN SENDING A NUKE ON HIM.

The game’s idea and concept of making Mario actually high on drugs is kind of a old joke but it’s delivered solid here in this game, everything is simply wacky and rainbow feeling with it's impressive visual effects, the game doesn’t have really that much of content and is really short but it’s still worth the 5 minutes of laugh it can give you.

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5

O Resgate dos Bichos

O Resgate dos Bichos

By: McDonalds Brazil

Year: 2005

Genre: Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




OFF 

Off

By: Unproductive Fun Time

Year: 2007

Genre: RPG

Length: 4 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

For all the hype it was getting, I should of comfirmed where the hype was coming from to start off… Haha start… Off? Yeah well I won’t be starting off in a long time considering I did not enjoy this game, yes compared to most RPG maker games it has a decent amount of graphics but most of them seem either inspired of obviously taken from Yume Nikki 2, the fan sequel or typical sideway codes you get from rpg maker forums for fighting. If you need a hint of how the rpg plays it’s very similar to Final Fantasy 6 type of gameplay, with an exception that you can simply do 2 tactics for every single enemy which are: fastly use The batters attack, then use he’s healing power, when you can’t do either, use an item that recovers your magic power. That’s it. It doesn’t even help that most of the battles are found via random instead of the improved actual seeing enemy’s encounters. The atmosphere for me was a hit or miss, it’s either trying to be edgy or somewhat spooky the fails, the constant fourth wall breaking isn’t what I call really good when compared to other series that did fourth wall breaking better. By far this game has one of the worst ideas of what to design a puzzle for a video game, where do I begin? A video game puzzle should be either over the top simple tasks like going back and forth or literly the most simple way of a puzzle, a jigsaw, Off completely loses touch with what could be a good puzzle and instead thinks puzzles are either history homework (with no internet, only old books from 1940 that are outdated) and are played as if you were cracking a real case of a psychotic maniac trying to be found by the entire world ala Carmen Sandiego style, yeah really fitting with what we got here. Like I’ve said the visuals are really decent but I can’t stop comparing it to other RPG maker games that have done the same techniques except earlier 4 years ago and delivered them better. Going back to the atsmophere, yes, it is edgy but like I said it failed in doing so, it ends up being just boring and dull and doesn’t try to go as extreme as it could go. The audio in the game end up being really great and either catchy or creepy, possibly the creator of the music as the intro said that would please him would have been happier if he’s game went to something more memorable.

Off does not entertain me with its simplistic battle schemes and annoying over the top mathematical and observational puzzles, it could have had potential with its artistic merits but ended up being another pretentious product from the French.

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5

OH! DANGO! JAM!

OH! DANGO! JAM!

By: Dango-Itimi

Year: 2006

Genre: Flash, Fighter, RPG

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger







Omikron: The Nomad Soul

Omikron

By: Quantic Dream

Year: 1999

Genre: Third Person Shooter, Sim, 3D Fighter, Survival Horror

Length: 8 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

This game starts out with a very wacky intro to show you what it’s all about right from the start, a character, within the first seconds you already have this amazing cyberpunk open world to explore filled with random cyberpunk pedestrians and lots of shops to buy stuff such as food, guns, medkits. All of you which you do not have money for until you reach your apartment... Where is your apartment? So what you’re supposed to is get a cab… For free. To your apartment and there you find it, from on their exploring everything will result in a cutscene telling you the next place to go and it’s just a bad feature that a game from the start makes you do the most mundane stuff without any real intuition and little hints that there is something bigger that the game has to unfold for you. The game itself is all over the place like it’s incredibly out of it, it wants to be a life simulator by giving you options of going to the bathroom, buying stuff, getting called by your supposedly wife to have a small lunch. Getting cabs and cabs to numerous locations hardly having any fun at all within the city. Does this game really expect you to have to experience the most mundane stuff? I know it’s trying to be experimental by showing off it can pull off a very simulating life but it just ended up being a boring experience with a lot of errands and sometimes with me even failing them without many easy returns to attempt them again. What is funny though is THE FIGHTING SYSTEM; you get a straight up fighting game from within a game that controls similar to Survival Horrors in the open world… You know very well this game could have been good if it kept this multiple genre idea and ditched the general boring ones, atleast the voice acting and immersion is ok but again everything feels like a chore. An incredible soundtrack made by David Bowie and also the inclusion of him as a main character is known as one of the many things that made this game somewhat remotely popular.  

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5

David Cage would later on have a sequence of very bad video games directed as if they were over the top B-movies without any real editing and basically without any quality substance of an actual movie yet it is an adventure game yet it is really bad and cheesy. Such a pity considering he was really trying to create outbreaking content at first, being just broken.

Only If

Only If

By: Creability

Year: 2014

Genre: Non-Theory

Length: 2 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

What the fuck? Well as an obvious warning this game has a lot of swear words for an art game! Not in the abstract way that a snail is saying said swear words but the fact that the protagonist is a bit of an edgy guy and so is the villain in it too.  Basically saying this is one of the first games I see spawn out of the fame that is The Stanley Parable, which is alright by me, I mean, this one could be considered even better than the Stanley Parable considering it actually has a somewhat consistent plot and actual puzzle features! Also… It’s FREE. So all of this as a result is already making it a better art game than The Stanley Parable, even though The Stanley Parable yes is the original achiever. This game is trippy to begin with, it’s a surreal journey of a boy who wakes up after a party to find himself in this mystical mansion looking place devoided of logic, you go to various locations as there are hints you are the one shaping the logic of the realm and this other person you meet Vinny, who seems to be controlling your mind somewhat is a mafia gangster boss that happens to be the caretaker of the person who was hosting that party. This is a bit of a spoilers keep in mind but it’s a brief short explanation I can give for the least, because this game is full of surprises! So I’ll just go to the core and not spoil It’s surreal trippy moments  and no it doesn’t make sense in the end, the game itself is fully aware that it does not make sense but other than that it DOES have plot, so it isn’t completetly empty, besides you go through a lot of things, a horror hiding section, you’ll run, you’ll tap buttons, you’ll solve riddles and find keys.  Outside of this, the game LOOKS REALLY nice. Warning, it can make a very good computer lag from how good it is even is, it has a selection of parks, cool living rooms with a touch of Rome and even the void in this game looks pretty remarkable, the physics engine is pretty tight too when you see something being destroyed. The presentation is also tricky, and the game will fool you sometimes but it’s still pretty entertaining. By the way, you get a machine gun… That is the first time I’d say I ever got a machine gun inside an Art game because it’s usually a slow ass gun. (Again, spoilers but you don’t keep it for that long anyways it was a nice surprise!). I was also going to say! I would recommend playing this game by starting Black Pawn.

The audio in the start can have some buzzing and some odd cut offs, but in the end it seems to improve itself, Vinny’s voice isn’t the best considering it’s cliché and considering it’s only thing it does is swear and they’ll be a point where all of the characters non-stop swear but HEY there’s Gymnopédie No.1 in it, and a fair share of other nice atmospheric music to make the music choice in the game great!

Shinaz Star Rating 2 out of 5

The edgy tone somewhat differentiates it from the rest of the bunch (being art games) and it would be immature to considering that a plus other than anything, But I’ll take it that way considering it does add quite a lot. The game is really random and unexpected but it’s alright. Technically this is trash but it can have its voice. 

On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One

On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness

By: Hothead Games

Year: 2008

Genre: Beat 'Em Up, RPG

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two

On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two

By: Hothead Games

Year: 2008

Genre: Beat 'Em Up, RPG

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Osmos

Osmos

By: Hemisphere Games

Year: 2009

Genre: Puzzle

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger Also known as the game that everytime I play it, it feels like I'm stepping on a plank with a nail, and the nail slowly slowly is entering as I later discovered it was one of my thumbs and THE NAIL IS PUSHING MY NAIL UNTIL MY NAIL FALLS OFF AND THE OTHER NAIL STAYS.  But basically yes, this game is more or less a waste of time for those who do not want to get angry and "puzzles" which are basically get out of a hellzone. Think it as a pit of needles and you are 1 twig of hay, you're hay is fragile so don't touch the other needles. 





OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast

OutRun 2006 Coast 2 Coast

By: Sega

Year: 2006

Genre: Racing

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Pac-Man Physics

Pac-Man Physics

By: Imwill

Year: 2009

Genre: Arcade, Freeware

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Pandaland

Pandaland

By: Svante Danielsson

Year: 2009

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger







Pajama Sam

Pajama Sam

By: Humongous Entertainment

Year: 1996

Genre: Point and Click

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





PangYa

PangYa!

By: Ntreev Soft

Year: 2004

Genre: MMORPG, Sports

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger






Paranoia

Paranoia

By: PARANOIA TEAM

Year: 2007

Genre: FPS, Mod

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Pat & Mat

Pat & Mat

By: Centauri Production

Year: 2009

Genre: Adventure, Sports, Mini-Games

Length: 5 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

A really odd and cheap game based off childish friendly stop animation shorts about too friendly constructors that get in mischiefs and have to repair stuff. This is a game that comes with 4 features, each have their own set of stages, SOME more than others.  The first feature is a short point and click adventure game... A really short one indeed, like it's supposed to be a single short episode, it lets you make mistakes and there's not much to click to as you can solve everything by clicking on the same screen and the character you picked will react to it if it what you're supposed to do. It's the easiest point and click stage ever to be made and I have played some of the easiest ones meant for children TOO. Not only that but it is a single stage, nothing more, nothing less. Wow. It was supposed to have more episodes in time but it seems they're nowhere to be found? Weird. The other features have a set of stages unlike this first one though, the second feature is a jig saw puzzle, it starts by being an actual jigsaw puzzle but then later goes to blocks and then later doesn't take misusage as well. Since stage 3 of the jigsaw puzzles if you put the blocks incorrectly from now on, you will lose time. So it stops being easy and starts being incredible unfair because it’s a jigsaw with BLOCKS and some parts of the jigsaw are just blurry images which could GO anywhere! By that point the images become animated but that doesn't mean anything for background because the background is not moving. It's extremely hard. The third one is, a memory game mostly, you are showcased what they are wearing for a brief moment and you are supposed to use a set of items you're given to what they showcased, pretty simple like the jigsaw but the thing is, you must have a huge memory for this as it later goes on, it starts off with only 2 things to change but as you progress it goes insane as it is 6 THINGS TO REMEMBER AND LOTS OF CHOICES. It's basically one of the hardest memory games in this category. The fourth and final one is the best of this bunch, minigolf, there is nothing that can go wrong with this great, simple and not broken minigolf, its stages look nice and the design is great. Minigolf is this game's selling point. All of these games except the short point and click adventure episode have tournament modes and multiplayer and can be unlocked after at least unlocking 3 stages of them.  I mean, it's an ok game, it does deliver what is basically 3 games with stages and to be honest there isn't much ways to make a game about animated shorts, there's not much to expect and there has been worse occasions of these types of bundle of mini-games done way worse. As for graphics the models of Pat and Mat look gorgeous and actually seem better looking than the real clay used to animate them in their original show, there's not much to look at considering the simple single one stage for the point and click adventure section (If you can call it that) but more graphics are showcased in the minigolf section where there is some cool looking water throughout the stages, outside of that textures and shadowing looks marvelous to be honest. It has a nice soundtrack considering it's based of an old quirky stop motion show, consider really funny sounding old cartoonish synth and calm folk music. I really like the soundtrack to be honest.

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5


This game is mostly a decent minigolf game at heart, it may seem like it has other features but those are just minimal as all they amped up was the golf stages. The minigolf is definitely this game's best features as the rest is just a short point and click and REALLY HARD puzzle games. It still looks pretty cool game based of a somewhat children either way but it would be nice for some need of repair.

Pathologic

Pathologic

{C}By: Ice-Pick Lodge

Year: 2006

Genre: FPS, RPG

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Penumbra: Overture

Penumbra Overture

{C}By: Frictional Games

Year: 2007

Genre: Survival Horror

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Pharaoh

By: Impressions Games

Year: 1999

Genre: Sim

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

A common historian Sim like many who have come at this time about Egypt, It surprises me there hasn’t been one about cavemen! Probably because there isn’t as much civilizations but anyways being an Egyptian Sim, you have to control your population by making pottery, blessing gods and farming by the nile. It seems like a nice concept to slowly and slowly simulate what it was like in the very first civilizations of humans but sadly this game does not keep up what it intended. It is a bit too complex at unnecessary times and mostly ends in ruins due to the fact that the game doesn’t specify what you need to do nor has missions with all sets to keep you being well funded. Yes at first this seems like a perfect RTS, but don’t be fooled! It’s actually filled with tombs of bad design. The A.I. IS SO BAD. Some stuff will purposely loose and loose over and over because they simply cannot do anything by themselves, in another issue is setting what they do, you simply cannot. Sometimes the game straight out doesn’t listen to you and it’s hard to explain but this cargo simply refused to go into this place I set him to. It never got better. It was always broken and a SINGLE misleaded path will cause the game create more issues!

But even being a broken game it’s a pretty ok as far as historically accurate sim games come and go, this is actually chronologically true and might give you some insights, other than that it’s supposed to be a classic mediocre sim game at best.

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5


                        

                     

Phun

Phun

{C}By: Emil Ernerfeldt

Year: 2008

Genre: Freeware, Workstation

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Plain Sight

Plain Sight

By: Beatnik Games

Year: 2010

Genre: 3D Platformer, Third Person Shooter

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+ Out though it does look fun and trhe concept is very neat and somewhat balanced (or atleast looks), the game is saddly very reppetive. You're main goal is become more and more powerful by killing other robots with swords, the problem is that... You get overpowered quickly and so can anyone else so there is hardly any fun, there is a varietry of game mods but all of them go to the same point in a way in which someone is stronger and giant, the level designs could make it worse for those who become giants but considering almost nobody plays this game nowadays the CPU just doesn't give that much of a challenge when you are at your peak. It is simply a 10 minute game, a interesting demo for some sort but doesn't puill off anything fun out of the introductions it gives you. 

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5





Plants Vs. Zombies

Plants Vs

By: PopCap Games

Year: 2009

Genre: Defence

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Play-Doh Creations

Play-Doh Creations

By: Hasbro Interactive

Year: 1996

Genre: Mini-games, Workstation

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Playskool Puzzles

Playskool Puzzles

By: Playskool

Year: 1996

Genre: Educational, Workstation

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Planescape: Torment

Planescape Torment
Art

By: Black Isle Studios

Year: 1999

Genre: RPG

Length:  40 Hours 

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

If you know I react when I play a WRPG, YOU know I AM VERY PICKY when it comes to WRPGs, I can’t trust WRPG fans because fallout was pretty boring and a lot of people talk about it being the coming of Christ when it is pretty badly designed and easy to get stuck whilst it’s only good things are its story. But this one… This one’s a bit better.

The game is pretty simple to get behind to and is very straight to the point, you’ll have a selection of menus in the corner and as the game goes explaining you stuff, you simply abide, you’ll get a little time to yourself to discover each menu as the first ones are important like equipping ones. Everything in this game needs to be equipped first to even have the option to bring it up. You got a key? You have to equip the key in common items to use it in the common item usage menu you get with right clicks. It’s a bit of a hassle but again you get used to it.  The combat in the game is simply select attack option while face to face to something or someone and your character will automatically start attacking. You’ll wait a bit while this happens and so far it is turn-based in the sense that it is only 1 turn and you wait results but it’s alright. I do have to complain with the hitbox of the cursor though, it is very easy to hit your friend and it’s sometimes hard to pick up a simple item.

Its characters are charismatic and lovable, the game is filled to the brim with excellent written dialog with almost everything and I get it’s supposed to give out an eerie feeling but most of the game is extremely hilarious with its silly moments. Dialog is refined like a book and written like one too. Most conversations aren’t just their dialog but other rules of literature also do follow such as what they do before they say a phrase.

I gotta be honest, it does feel either unfair or CLUTCHED most of times, VERY small locations, with too much to do with in them ends being a very clustered experience in general. It's immersive and detailed but honestly TOO immersive, like the same feeling of being a traveler’s hoarder house, to the fact that while trying to a do a simple mission you'll have to endlessly get stuck, i would say a lot of characters are charismatic considering almost nobody is that evil or that good.

 This game is casual and that makes up for a very good theme in the video game considering a lot of western fantasies put up this mask that everything is magic and dandy while this one shows more slums and realistic economic situations, it’s interesting really. I will complain about the color brown though, by the end of you playing this game the color brown will be way more obnoxious than before, looking everything from an up perspective all the time doesn't help the situation at all and you'll mostly be looking at dirt. 


Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5

Maybe I am too spoiled by games THAT ARE ACTUALLY FUN TO PLAY AND HAVE MORE TO EXPLORE rather living an entire life where my expectancy for the best game ever is basically a choose your own adventure book with an ok battle system that isn’t really the best but really it is a very nice game besides it’s obvious flaws for being a WRPG. As deep as the game is told to be, It's suprising that nobody caught on with the fact that the title is symbolic to it's gameplay. The entertaining writing won't save you from it.

Portal

Portal

By: Valve

Year: 2007

Genre: FPS, Puzzle

Length: 3 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Portal 2

Portal 2

By: Valve

Year: 2003

Genre: FPS, Puzzle

Length: 8 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger


Here it is, the game getting all the praise all the time as the token  one considered to have one of the best emotion inside a game ever (that means writing, effort and what so ever). Which is somewhat true, I may not seem that happy to be talking to one of the most impressive games ever due to the fact that stuff like this kind of gets overdone with the ENTIRE POPULATION OF THE GAMING COMMUNITY.  But is expected when a game is made by OH THE HOLY CRUSADE OF GAMING Valve! Especially when it’s a sequel to one THE ORIGINAL DEVASTATOR: “THE CAKE IS A LIE”. Thankfully, this game doesn’t have it! I’ve expected Valve to not drag a joke around that bad like a unprofessional writer. 


Postal 2

Postal 2

By: Running with Scissors

Year: 2003

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Psychonauts

Psychonauts

{C}By: Double Fine Productions

Year: 2005

Genre: 3D Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Prey

Prey

{C}By: Double Fine Productions

Year: 2005

Genre: 3D Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Prototype

Prototype

By: Activision

Year: 2009

Genre: Hack 'n Slash, Sandbox

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

A game where you control a person with these mutant super powers, seems perfect doesn’t it? Well, sadly yes it kind of does, this game had allot going for it in terms of concept because when you hear about a game where you could be guy who simply walks over buildings and can destroy anything with insane super powers would mean to you a very fun experience, the result experience is a bland city to run around doing unfair missions where every single thing can kill you in some simple ways with cheesy badly animated cutscenes and a boring plot to boot with it here and there. When I talk about concept I don’t entirely mean only the super hero but the elements that the super hero is visceral and that it’s taking place inside a city where it’s being infected by zombies each second more, it’s fun for a second to see the town being more and more infected as you explore it but then it just gets annoying because it’s not only zombies walking around but these monsters that are usually stronger than you in every way, I’m not entirely sure why the game sometimes feels so unfair, I feel as if it has to do with the broken RPG mechanics, the game doesn’t automatically make you stronger you have to go to the menu of your super powers and upgrade them manually without much hinting and other than when you check your power inside the menus it seems as if you don’t never have enough experience, immediately from this I got the idea that I should grind more, inside a game like this. As you can imagine the gameplay isn’t really that good, it tries to be a beat em up game but a very slippery one in fact, each punch seems as if you fly all over the place and you cannot keep close to one enemy, besides later on in the game the only way you can arrange to defeating an enemy is throwing a car at them with a power up that lets you have bigger muscle arms, which I must comment on. You have multiple powers which change your arms to having other functions like being a whip or a giant rock of some sort, they all end up being in some way useless though based on combat methods and usually the first one and second you unlock are the best ones, unlocking is something done wrong inside this game as well… The game starts with the method of showing how powerful you can be at the end of the game (because the game starts where the game ends) so that you can have a sudden urge to play the game till the end to win all those powers you had at the start… The sad news is that the ending result was me feeling that the first part of the game and the rest of the game honestly completely boring and unsatisfying as the first part of the game, thus being one of the worst examples of a method that makes you play the game longer ever made. When you unlock the powers there not even suprising for you and there is no joy in them, when you don’t have the powers it just makes the game less enjoyable and smooth to play. The plot is simple and bland; it also has the same method of making you play the game longer because the character has amnesia! And you suck the brains of people to gain more information about who you are, on the topic of sucking brains, you can observe a human body and gain there identity, this is one of the ways you can go inside an army base or make them lose you while they are trying to get you, which is also a sad case inside this game, perhaps the hardest “police type” alarm in any sandbox game yet, the army here sends helicopters, tanks and there difficulty changes so very suddenly to the point they can kill you in one shot. The music is, ughhh, your typical hollywood action movie music and I don't think they even try, there is no quality at all inside it or something that makes ti different from the rest of hollywood action stock music.

Prototype lives up to its name, it’s doesn’t quite seem finish, that or I just had high hopes for it, high as the towers you can climb inside this game. The entire game feels slippery and you have one single second to think on your actions, it is literly the iquavalent of Ice musicals you see at New York (fitting, considering that is where this game is). I do not recommend this game because will end you being furious and disappointed on why you are wasting so much time on this when you could go play better games of the same concept.

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5


  

Purgatorium

Purgatorium

By: Leffler Web Design

Year: 2006

Genre: Flash, Point and Click

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Quake

Quake

By: id Software

Year: 1996

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Quake II

Quake II

By: id Software

Year: 1997

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Quake Live

Quake Live

By: id Software

Year: 2010

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+






Radiator 1-2: Handle With Care

Radiator 1-2 Handle With Care

By: Radiatoryang

Year: 2009

Genre: Non-Theory, Mod

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Reader Rabbit: Let's Start Learning

Coelho Sabido Jardim

By: The Learning Company

Year: 1995

Genre: Educational, Point and Click

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Reader Rabbit 1st Grade: Capers on Cloud Nine

Coelho Sabido na Nuvem da Alegria

By: The Learning Company

Year: 2001

Genre: Educational, Point and Click

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale

Recettear An Item Shop's Tale

By: EasyGameStation

Year: 2009

Genre: RPG, Simulator

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Red Orchestra Ostfront 41-45

By: Tripwire Interactive

Year: 2006

Genre: FPS, Simulator

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+





Redneck Rampage

Redneck Rampage

By: Xatrix Entertainment

Year: 1997

Genre: FPS, Simulator

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

A really foolish game done with the Build Engine (also known as the engine Duke Nukem 3D used) where the whole theme of the entire game is (if you haven't get it from the title) Rednecks! In fact this it is so spot on to rednecks it should be considered a Redneck simulator. Something I got to talk about first is the controls, sadly this is a game that has some awkward controls that aren't that good to handle and you want to know the hugest problem of it? You cannot change the controls. Luckily the fun thing about the controls is that you can play the entire game buy simply using your mouse. The map design is interesting, unlike many classic FPSes the maps in Redneck Rampage are usually free-roam and are all about finding keys to open other sections, sadly finding a key in Redneck Rampage is almost impossible, the only way I could end up beating the first level was using a key cheat called "rdkeys" so suite yourself if you have the same problem! The health system is pretty unique but feels more of a downside most of the time considering you will need to constantly use the items and you will be punished by using them... Most of the health items in this game are alcoholic drinks and you have a DRUNK meter in your HUD that indicates how drunk you are, obviously if you drink too much your meter will go higher and if it reaches the red zone your walking directions will be switched and if you GO FULLY drunk to tend of the meter you will not be able to shoot and your screen with be slightly tilted, this was so stressful and confusing I ended up finding a secret area in the game but later died by a mosquito because I couldn't fight back. The fact that one of the major items you most find has this useless downside makes the experience of the game rather stressful and pretty unfair to survive during gameplay.

Redneck Rampage is a decent game but like it delivers itself... It's silly. Map design is too confusing; the humor isn't that really funny in my opinion, controls are sort of almost unplayable. You should only play it if you are really desperate in finding a good oldschool FPS.

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5

Remaddening

Remaddening

By: NAL

Year: 2010

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Remember Me

Remember Me

By: Dontnod Entertainment, Capcom

Year: 2013

Genre: Beat 'em Up, Platformer

Length: 9 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Art
Vein
Tear
Note
Eye
Heart

You are an errorist, Sister! A very stylish game set in a cyberpunk dystopian future in which memories have become the biggest thing in technology and everything uses mental power, you are supposedly a  errorist (Get it? Error Terrorist) that happens to lost their memories and is saved from total memory wipe to yet again work for terrorists against the memory system. You go through slums, rich people towns on a mission to take justice as an errorist to the corrupted system. As you go you start to learn more about yourself as you gain more memories and you go further as to perhaps save the world from the memory system.   For starters, this game is quite the under achiever and looker, it does quite a lot of stuff new, some pretty old but mostly new, and it’s presentation is excellent. You know those new age cyberpunk artists that fill their cyberpunk paintings with SO MUCH amazing detail to the future? This is a game that homages that! This is a wonderful game that homages art. It’s gameplay varies from two stages… Or better yet 3. Combat is a weird new system that takes a while to get used to at first and is VERY HARD considering the game is not forgiving, then you go to platforming which is marveling at places you jump next to as you climb and jump, and next is… Wandering I guess… Goes with the platforming part but usually has simple puzzles to go with it!

It’s combat system is very odd, it seems they were going for something more on the experimental line with RPG mechanics and also seems to even try to blend in some rhythm? It’s confusing, at first you might think it’s your typical Arkham Gameplay but  manages to be more cryptic by limiting more and at the same time adding silly willy combo systems that are barely that free of choice and are more like putting on armor or changing swords in a RPG to change stats. BUT IT REALLY IS AWKWARD. IT HAS THIS DELAY… WHICH IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET RIGHT.  It obviously excels more as a platformer and maybe if it tried a bit more could go off as a puzzle game but it’s obvious the combat is out of place (out though interesting).  Outside of this annoying to get used to beat down system, it is also completely broken and lacks a heavy level of skill to be taken… It’s also annoying that it has A LOT TUTORIALS. MORE THAN NECESSARY And they aren’t really fast to skip.  But it’s a functional combat system, it’s limited by its own weird percussion and all but never the less it seems like something to differentiate from the rest of the game being jumping from platform to platform. You get powerups along the way that let you shoot and let you use special powers too, and eventually you’ll have a bigger set of combos to put so yes IT DOES look like a game that’s TRYING really hard to be not repetitive but fails as it? What a headache.  BUT DEFINETELY THE WORST THING OUT of the combat is not MANY ENEMIES GANGING UP ON YOU BUT… THE BOSSES. The strategies to win bosses in this game are just sometimes “Wait until your special power gauge refills” and that takes a lot of the momentum, especially considering all bosses end with a QTE, if you do 1 SINGLE SLIP on the QTE you gotta do the annoying waiting game and not die in the meanwhile so that you have a second attempt. IT IS BY FAR. NOTORIOUS BOSS FIGHTS.  And even when the combat seems to grow on you in this game, they add quite a lot of near death experiences considering some enemies are impossible to not take damage so you’ll eventually be instead of 5 chances to get hit just 1. It’s a bit annoying but I’ve managed to grow with its impossibility, for example I do give them respect for trying to be interesting combat system, there are hardly any combat system I know with special punches that let you cool off your super powers faster or heal yourself. It’s pretty new.

It’s presentation is obviously THE MARVEL but it also has it’s amazing flaws which are sometimes deadpan acting! I’m not entirely sure if the game is foreign but sometimes acting simply doesn’t feel right, this is only towards the first steps of the game as many of the voice actors are quite amazing, outside of that the characters in this game really make you think “Wow this person is a jerk” because this game follows ACTION movie characters, most people are usually 100% bad and gives you an impulse to what to destroy them without any throwback.  Out though the plot is full of short surprises, not huge surprises but short surprises, which indeed a game about amnesia should rightfully deliver! You’ll find old characters coming back, see the results of what each person is introduced I think they remembered to handle it pretty well.  Also thumbs up for making a black female protagonist!

Even if the game might serious, it’s still cheesy in its own little way. I mean… The robots in this game say “just a flesh wound” to be ironic. So yeah it’s not ENTIRELY serious out though it’s beauty in its locations and design might say otherwise.

The music in this game is VERY Good, it’s in its own interesting theme and style of glitched out with orchestra, and overall keeps from time to time hinting at the theme song which is a little jingle done by a cute eerie robot voice. Outside of that it is really calming and ambient with lots of reverse effects, it’s just a very memorable soundtrack with lots of experimental features that makes it really neat.

It’s extremely funny how this game made me submit to the fact that it needed indeed less gameplay, which is RARE. Because this game would be ABSOLUTELY PERFECT WITHOUT THE COMBAT and that is a sign of something bad but honestly it is rewarding in the end considering there are many cool concepts to be shared here.

But really this game’s presentation… Mmmm HM! DAMN! *Smooch* IS BEAUTIFUL! I’ve never seen a cyberpunk’s wet dream be this better conceived. TRULY. I’ve played quite a share of cyberpunk gems but this one is the symbol of the modern idea of what is cyberpunk art. This game’s design is wonderful. Its plot is pretty cool too! I mean it makes sense by the end out though cheesy it is fitting.


I’d recommend this game just for the presentation and visuals really, it’s a beat em up in which its beat em up isn’t really the best and it’s more of a platformer that’s kin to the series of Prince of Persia than anything. As much as it is indeed a flawed game I truly respect it because of its memorable beauty! It really is one of the video games with the best aesthetic I have ever found! Its scenery will definitely leave you in awe, as there is almost never a level and it’s not that bad of a game out though with some flaws but it’s that game you want to make a memory of!

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

Resident Evil 5

Resident Evil 5

By: Capcom

Year: 2009

Genre: Third Person Shooter

Length: 13 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger





Resident Evil 6  

Resident Evil 6

By: Capcom

Year: 2013

Genre: Arcade, Third Person Shooter

Length: 40 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+

Art
Vein
Tear
Note
Eye
Heart

The fact that this is one Resident Evil game is considered surreal by many, including me, because of the gameplay which was known for Survival horror, which is known for being slow, atmospheric, menacing and being a type of game that each step may be your last… Is now a completely outrageous, extreme, balls to the walls with all of the things happening at once, the apocalypse is happening everything is exploding and you are going around the world killing mutants and zombies. It’s just INSANE, how would anyone could of preview this type of stuff happening? But… Here’s the catch… It’s an amazing action game. Heck, it has gone to the point that this is perhaps the primmest example of how a game that is considered mediocre by many as the common is better than most stuff getting released nowadays. I see no reason to hate it, just to love it even more, it’s the type of game you don’t love immediately but get to love it the longer you play it and notice it’s quality, it ends up being variational in general, allot of stuff happen, gameplay is pretty fun and somewhat new without being boring, there is quite allot of content, the entire thing is a cluster fuck of light that blinds me but it’s as if the light is shining from a giant diamond and I can’t notice it until it stops sparkling.  The plot and concepts is as if someone wrote a fan fiction on Resident Evil, it is bullshit over bullshit, literally anything goes, but that doesn’t need to be bad though! It just makes the game more surprising really. I am surprised every time how extreme this game could goes, and when you really think about it… For the standards of Resident Evil, all of this… Goes. The game starts out of nowhere… Like LITERALLY IT JUST STARTS and you are in a middle of a zombie apocalypse controlling Leon carrying a lady, from there you can see how the gameplay works and after the intro level section the menu pops up and from there you can choose from 4 story campaigns, with 2 characters each to play and each one being different in their own way. There’s nothing really that out of place, some stuff are even a cool throwback of what happened in the first ones of the series and some are a upgraded version of what happened recently, exactly how a sequel should go isn’t it? It was obvious that the game would of gone completely action with its gameplay considering how everything at the moment was going (multiple Capcom groups gone, and the target audience at the time), that and the negative attention they got for Resident Evil 5 being basically an attempt to be Resident Evil 4 a bit too much but ending by being too bland. The game doesn’t end up being that modern due to what everyone thinks; actually it’s a bit more reminiscent of classic shooter games from 2001 for the PC such as Max Payne. The game allows you to have more than 2 weapons at once, has a bit of regenerative health if an entire health cube isn’t depleted yet still goes by the standard of health items you can find to heal you while playing the game, an interesting RPG mechanic that by gaining experience you can purchase 3 skills to put in template and equip that template. All that happened was that the game became more fast, live and accessible and that isn’t really all that bad. And by fast, this game means it! There are hardly no menus at all, and unlike Resident Evil 5 with it’s horrible small in-game menus that you can hardly navigate in, Resident Evil 6 has a great design in simple menus (out though I do forget constantly to check the secondary weapons menu which is simply a button away). I do have a short complain about the simplicity in a way… It doesn’t choose to go all the way, for example, ammo still occupies a partial part of your inventory BUT like I’ve said this a minor complain so there isn’t that much the rest of the gameplay is very good. Shooting is fast and easy, you have a variation of melee attacks that drain your stamina, why is melee needed? Because it’s the game is not any other third person shooter it has a variation in its difficulty, you will from time to time have no ammo at all and have to resource to other options. The game isn’t as easy as people expected, you will sometimes die not knowing what to do, being swarmed by too many zombies or not being prepared at the time and the RPG mechanics aren’t as rewarding as some thought it could be, it is very rare to actually afford skills most of the time. What peaks in this game is the content, there is quite allot of attention to detail and allot of content to go around, it shocked me allot to see that this game has so much to offer! You will be killing a huge variation of enemies, going through various scenarios and cinematic experiences, seeing twist after twist in a crazy plot, it’s music is well orchestred and the sounds are very memorable, on top of that there is lots of extra content to boot and all and all keep in mind this has won my prize as the most extreme game out there. For being a Resident Evil it has not lost its charm of being disturbing and shocking in its monsters and has for me one of the sickest and nastiest visions of the entire franchise.

I should also note the fact that I enjoy this game is considered controversial, I should add a very specific explanation for the last thing I’ll say about this game. Truly it is a game many can hate for different reasons yet I seem to enjoy. It’s filled with effort but said effort is considered too random and out of place. It seems as if a collaboration of action scenes where taken from many groups and just sticked together, the design of level too isn’t the finest but still better than and more action packed than Half-Life 2 if you ask me. Life I’ve said before this game is all types of cheesy; some that would make a film director that makes action movies cringe. But… I still liked them. I could consider Resident Evil 6 as a game that’s so bad it’s good which is rare thing to see usually because video games are just straight up bad because they’re unplayable. Which is a weird thing to comment in general, should we simply let a game pass because it’s playable? Should we ignore all design rules for the sake of mindless bad entertainment?  Never the less entertainment that could be fulfilling? My friends only told me that the fact that it’s dead on serious and not intended to be funny is what makes it bad. For me the contrary, you can truly see that it’s been made with heart and that makes it even more hilarious, mostly because you have a grasp on what it’s trying to do, and the result is hilarious to laugh at.

It ends up having more soul than allot of shit even though it was just a random result of a estimate budget, and what would you know? It ended up being the biggest seller the franchise, as sad that might be for those who are elitist about certain rules, it just shows how much people love mindless entertainment.

I just really think it’s great for what it is, and there are worse video games than it that are either boring or not fulfilling.

The series fans should not be disappointed in my opinion for what has happened, will always be. Each product is them in their own singularity for me. This provides originality, branching and no rehashing. Besides I didn’t want a poor’s man’s Resident Evil 4 like RE5.  I am perhaps a strict believer of that, at least when it comes to the number 6 in the series perhaps. A trilogy might happen why not but the guaranteed sacredness of a franchise is impossible. It’s an illusion, things are always changing for the better or the worse. Yes companies, ESPECIALLY Capcom might be caring more about money to the point of changing stuff for the hippest demographic but that’s just the way it goes. 

For a sequel that could be known as the the killer of a franchise, it may be an a bit saddening for the fan. But… For a Third Person Shooter game, it is a great and fulfilling action packed game. Yes it is one the dumbest games and has allot of flaws in term of design and at times seems even a satire on the whole gerne. Every issue about this game that I was told don't really affect me. Perhaps if you saw it for it was, all it really is trying to do is improvise and do what it does as much as it can! Resident Evil 6 ends up being evil in the residents of many but cozy in my home.  

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5



  

Retro City Rampage

Retro City Rampage

By: VBlank Entertainment Inc.

Year: 2012

Genre: Isometric Shooter, Sandbox

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

And even though it might seem like any knock off indie game, this is a VERY solid sandbox game with a great variation of levels and inside jokes to go around. This game has gone to the point of the only single retro faux game that deserves to be retro faux, because it amazingly delivers it’s pixel style in so many forms and modes by the simple options which is so great to see. And obviously the idea of creating a Grand Theft Auto in the style or perspective of an NES game had to happen amazingly sooner or later.

Revenge of the Sunfish

Revenge of the Sunfish

{C}By: Jacob Buczynski

Year: 2007

Genre: Non-Theory, Mini-games

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Ride to Hell: Retribution

Ride to Hell Retribution

By: Jacob Buczynski

Year: 2007

Genre: Beat 'em Up, Sandbox, Third Person Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

All of the issues many reviewers hate it seems we have finally made a game with all of those modern issues. Oddly enough it isn’t as bad as one of assume to many other games in the categories of WORST games ever made, for instance, it is atleast somewhat playable and has automatic saving, It’s somewhat a bit well optimized that it plays on bad computers on a mediocre computers (not because it looks good), not in any other way because you hardly have the option to separately do your controls. It would be weird to seem because even pc games with no resolution options have those. I’m really mad at that because mouse control in this game was so bad at a moment I wanted to REALLY change it for a keyboard. This was why I was attempting to do an impossible achievement of getting the shooting range record all A. Did I say Oddly enough it isn’t as bad as one would assume? Never mind, I’ve gone further into the game, yes the randomly surreal cut of the intro, the weird bike riding where you explode if you fail more than 3 times during SLIDES and in general of the game’s first 10 minutes apparently didn’t make it up for what the combat and shooting was. It was pretty painful.  The combat really makes me think in general if I should start blaming Batman: Arkham Asylum for all of the dreadful spawns it has made with this type of combat. It just became an annoying norm and nobody seems to be doing it correctly in anyway. The pacing of this game is oddly fast, one second you’re in a street then another second you are in a another, it truly makes me wish it continued like this, after the first levels it ends up being somewhat of a sandbox game and ends up being too long to tolerate. But yeah speaking of FAST SPACING one of the moments which is a classic that you beat down a guy and out of nowhere it cuts to you having clothed sex. These are popular things everyone knows about this game and how it provides, lots and lots of random out of nowhere sex with about every single female character in the entire game. Everything of the typical worst game is included here, we got stale acting, we got weird model shading for the year it’s coming out, the clipping, the bad controls, I guess some of the new comers to the list Is it’s controversy to being too offensively cheesy. The music is memorable for all the bad reasons, it might as well be repetitive as the gameplay itself considering it seems as if it’s an endless boring uninspired bass solo you find in free 3d bowling games and once you get used to it, it won’t leave your memory for a while.

So if you ever wanted to play one of the worst games of its year, surely with all of the clichés of what people most hate of various modern games of today (Ideally this could be in a museum of how games acted during 2011 to 2013) then don’t grab a ticket for a ride to hell. Seriously this game isn’t really tolerable and it gets boring, you won’t be kidding anyone by playing a bad game and trying to tolerate it as much as possible. Just don’t try it.  Also yes the fact that a hidden sub title of this game is 1% is very quite fitting even if it does refer to biker gang history of some sort.  


Might as well end this review with something unique other than trashing an obvious trash game by explaining what that 1% means. The 1% is usually found in a patch given for bikers that kill allot of people to say that only 1% of bikers are seriously dangerous. So avoid the 1% at all costs given context of bikers and this game. 

Shinaz Star Rating 1 out of 5




Roblox

Roblox

By: ROBLOX Corporation

Year: 2006

Genre: FPS, MMORPG

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+







RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Platinum

RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Platinum

By: Frontier Developments

Year: 2006

Genre: Simulator

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Room Of 1000 Snakes

Room Of 1000 Snakes

By: Arcane Kids

Year: 2006

Genre: Simulator

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger Wow! Truly that has been quite allot of snakes! Loved the part with snakes, got surpised by the room of snakes, thrilled with sound of snakes (wait a second there wasn't). And got filled with snakes!

I recommend this to all of those who are in need of ssssssmoe snakes!


Saints Row: The Third Editor's Choice

Saints Row The Third
Art
Note
Eye
Heart

By: THQ, Deep Silver

Year: 2011

Genre: Arcade, Sanbox, Third Person Shooter

Length: 20 to 40 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger

A game that tries to be possibly the most over the top ridiculous game out there, and possibly succeeds, out though being wacky and silly it doesn’t even matter because it ends up being definitely better than whatever Sandbox games out there! You play as basically the most bad ass person on earth, just like how the game wants to make you feel like, an owner of The Saints, a gang with so much power they have fans and sell their own merchandize that while trying to rob a bank gets thrown in jail in a city they don’t know about, their plan is to exterminate the other gangs and rise to the top in the city, also the main character is who you choose to be, and of course with what I consider one of the best character modifications ever is really well made to make anyone you want! The game was pretty commercialized as well, with Adult Swim being responsible for some stuff inside the game, making great commercials and even creating some humor here and there inside the game. The gameplay is great, car controls are perfect and fun to control, out though sometimes it feels as if the boost doesn’t add speed but makes the car more resistant and powerful, also for some odd reason when you get a car it feels faster when you drive it, more than what the cpu has in mind to driving it, you can easily get any car you want from your garage and store any vehicle you see into your collection to have more options to choose from, talking about options, this game has quite allot of content of how you could play the game! Quite a few RPG elements, abilities, upgrades, weapons and all of them you can feel as if they have effort and personality… its lovely! The game plays like an arcade game mostly of the times, with mini-games such as mayhem that makes you destroy places and is quite useful for experiencing and making your surroundings in the sandbox quite more than something you just pass by, because it actually makes you destroy objects you gotta see, the gameplay is fast and really fun, while being a third person shooter it mostly acts on dodging and shooting everything as fast as possible with a arrange of weapons, like I said it feels like an arcade game so the shooting and all kind of reminds me of how Smash TV worked, but with a third person  perspective. The soundtrack is really good, all of the radios have a perfect selection of music (except the Spanish rap one) which even if cheesy are very hip and cool. The characters, cutscenes and basically everything related to plot are based around the theme of being bad ass, they are over the top and stuff but they have allot of character, the personalities are good (except for Zeno, he hardly has any) everything seems cool and great! But really now, don’t get me wrong this game is absolutely ridiculous, and it may seem as if I’m avoiding to talk about it but, you do extreme stuff with chainsaws, join a Japanese game show that makes you kill people in mascot suits, basically do insane stunts while killing multiple gang members… With a dildo. That and much more but the silliness of the game gets more subtle and used to as you play the game and makes you feel as if you live in this weird and funny universe where it’s basically a cartoon. And I respect that quite allot, the quantity of drug jokes, sex jokes and basically all around immature college humor was basically all around an idea of a world which is controlled by gang members, which is what the vision they are going for and that’s okay with me!

And I simply do not get the excuse of “This game isn’t too serious for me to enjoy” like, let’s be honest here,  I’m sorry to break it to you but video games where basically always silly like this, what about classic arcade games like Metal Slug? That games had zombies, monkeys with uzis, giant robots and the works. What about Captain Commando? You were a superhero that shooted a REALISTIC M60, with a BABY INSIDE A ROBOT SIDEKICK AND A MUMMY NINJA… The idea of being wacky and silly and thinking without limitations isn’t a really new thing to video games, in fact it’s possibly been in the blood of Arcade games forever which right now I’m comparing Saints Row: The Third too, I repeat it feels like a really good arcade game.  

Saints Row: The Third is a game where action is everywhere basically, every single thing you do gives you points! It’s the gift that keeps on giving and it’s really well prized. A very exciting and fast game that may not be funny but is fun.  The variation of gameplay styles is pretty creative the way they do it and has even has co-op to enjoy with some friends! Everything is shiny, stylistic and cartoony, everything seems so well made and full of detail with great animation throughout. It’s just a really fun experience and you don’t know, until you play Saints Row…. The Third.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5




Saints Row IV

Saints Row IV

By: THQ, Deep Silver

Year: 2013

Genre: Arcade, Sanbox, Third Person Shooter

Length: 20 to 70 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger

Well… How do we get better than the last game? Well I guess they don’t and I feel this is the last one of the series. What started off as DLC became a full game with many quests and what not. Basically a re-amped, more like a refilled cup of Saints Row The Third squeezed fresh from Saints Row fruits. It might seem as if it’s going to be about the protagonist being president but already it ends up being a plot of which aliens attack and put you inside a matrix parody cyber-world. And you get super powers later on making this somewhat of a better and improved Prototype game that’s tolerable. This opens lots of hilarious moments for the game for the fact that it’s a fictional world within a fictional world, crazy stuff prevails! Well most of the time, some parts of the game are arguably considered lazy and don’t have that much of delivery compared to other moments of the game. I’ll tell you this, the first part of the game is the best one.  It can leave an impression for the introduction but like I’ve said… Some errors in the matrix. The game is filled with supposedly wraps up to the series and commentary about how the series managed to be as big as it was, as the entire theme of this game is subtly: Remembering the old days, and how video games today are balls to the walls, but it’s ok. Yes, video game commentary, possibly considered the most typical thing to comment in video games considering video game’s narcissistic being in the media in which the only place it can relate to is a mirror house, but very decent anyways. It's obvious that in general the entire game is a homage to the series as a whole full of breaking the forth wall and good references. I would say this game has the best dialog of the series perhaps as it is emotional when it needs to be and memorable and funny. When this game was coming out I was very afraid it would be TOO wacky and not perfectly wacky like The Third, well I sure did get my ending, I basically got the same game! Weirdly but anyways the comedy control is even more controlled here as it would indeed be more wacky, the only thing truly wacky would be the slight references to media, most of the game’s soundtrack is intentionally bought for several moments of the game (The only reason they are in the game for the first place) for an inside joke so yes the soundtrack is well placed. Other than that I am very happy they got rid of the ANNOYING MEXICAN radio and added some more decent up to date tunes, not to mention the main antagonist’s own personal radio dedicated to classical music and actual literature which is great to have, as for the first time I actually did pay attention to Romeo and Juliet as a very good voice actor read it for me.  Oh, I forgot to mention, due to new system of well… The “I’m so powerful I hardly need cars outside of specific missions” system, the radio stations can now be used on foot simply! Taking up time to have your music way much more throughout the game!  The game does get annoying with the spike of difficulty, and everything does at times feel like a grind as there are millions of enemies going against you and thus you feel being constantly juggled by too many enemies.


It ends up being a parody of either recent games or famous media from our century AND is a quite decent Saints Row The Third 2.0, filled with many missions, quests, mini-games and what not! Out though it does have some glitch in the system. Not you that is. Or the joke glitches. Actual glitches. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5



S4 League

S4 League

By: Pentavision

Year: 2008

Genre: MMORPG, Third Person Shooter

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+





Second Sight

Second Sight

By: Free Radical Design

Year: 2005

Genre: Stealth, Third Person Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter

Serious Sam HD

By: Croteam

Year: 2009

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Sesame Street Create & Draw in ELMO's World

Sesame Street ELMO's World

By: Children's Television Workshop

Year: 1999

Genre: Educational, Workstation

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Sesame Street Letters

Sesame Street Letters

By: Children's Television Workshop

Year: 1997

Genre: Educational, Point and Click

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Severance: Blade of Darkness

Severance Blade of Darkness

By: Codemasters

Year: 2001

Genre: Hack 'N Slash, RPG, Third Person Shoter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Editor's Choice

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri

By: Firaxis Games

Year: 1999

Genre: TBS

Length: Until you find enlightment. 

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/'''''1 Player Shinaz Larger+

Art
Heart

Possibly the best strategic game ever made and actually not that hard to get into, very simple in a way, but most when talking about this game talk firsthand about its philosophy, which it has AMAZING studies. It’s about humanity last attempt on colonizing a new planet as Earth is basically ruined, a huge ship is sent to colonize a planet in Alpha Centauri but of course problems happen as travel malfunctions happen and out of spite the captain is killed, in this time, the most important people on the ship build factions (7 to be precise) that are basically living ideologies (mixed with culture or other forms of social ideas) such as: Militarism, Religion, Capitalism, Science, Communism, Fascism, Atheism, Environmentalism, Dualism, Authoritarianism, Humanitarianism, Post-Humanism, Anarchism, Democracy, Socialism, Rationalism, Piracy. And of course, they are all extreme with: Tyranny, Disgrace, Nihilistism, Atrocities, Control AND MUCH MUCH MORE FLAWS IN HUMANITY that I honestly don’t know that many scientific terms for…  But and nobody is right yet nobody is wrong. Especially given the situation that they have a new planet to conquer without borders, it’s a fresh start as 7 factions crash onto the planet… Named… Planet. Oh yeah, I say this in the most casual way possible but this is definitely the type of video game that might change the way you think about life or what it is to be human, because that’s the entire premise of it. Stuff like “What is the future of humanity?”, “What is life?” to answer both questions: Yes. Now that you have your question answered I guess there’s nothing more that interesting to discover within the game… BUT. It is at its core an amazing video game as well. 

To be honest, strategy games terrify because I never know if they are actually fun, I’m never sure if its quality is an affirmation from someone who basically thinks piloting a plane is easy (I’m not sure if piloting a plane is easy) but rest assured not only Alpha Centauri an extremely intelligent game, it’s actually pretty easy to get into.  It’s kind of an issue I chose this one as my first strategy game considering when you think about it there isn’t much that is BETTER but I should be happy that I chose this one out of anything considering it is the best. Most of the game bases around colonizing the planet and making bases, you start with a base that can produce pods that can travel by squares on the map to make more than one base, the game is turn based but not EXTREMELY turn based, it’s turn based in a SRPG way, if you ever played an SPRG this is actually more simple than an SRPG (considering you don’t need to command single attack formations for each unit but instead you need to form unit and form bases), you can make soldiers and units that walk 1 block at a time and for those who are very used with strategy games this is common. Now that we got the common out of the way let’s go to what’s unique and very fun about Alpha Centauri. The game has a board game feel to it, it has multiple random chance factors and lots of stuff to discover and uncover within a single game. There are pods that come from the crash that fell randomly across the planet (that is also randomly generated) that might have: data, enemy aliens(that’s not good), energy, units and much more, it makes the game very interesting as you can have a nice start by simply “grabbing a lucky card”, going onto the next random factor would be where you start, location in the game is really important as terrain will have minerals and nutrients around your base that sustain the people (called drones which is quite derogatory), the planet isn’t the most habitable place for numerous reasons (surprise surprise) including alien fungus and xenofungus that is this red dust that covers terrain and spawns alien enemies such as MIND WORMS. This makes things harder to live with, which comes in one of the main things to do within the game that isn’t build units or collecting data to make units (I’ll get into collecting data later considering it is one of the key features)…And that thing is… Terraforming! Wouldn’t be a space colonization without the obvious Terraforming, terraforming is almost everything, a former unit will grow forrests around your base and can also make farms, doing this gives sustains the base and terraforming can also remove fungus. And now for what makes everything possible: Data. I will also talk about the characters, the characters in this game are extremely well written and most of them are within this fictional world that from time to time you gain a little lore about the fictional world and how the characters were significant people on it.  Most data is presented in quotes by the characters themselves that are either a famous fictional scientist quote that has come from numerous fictional science books or a famous CEO that was quoted during an interview, heck the quote can be made by someone who was related to the process in the fictional world and not even one of the main characters you can control. The quotes of this game are extremely powerful, even if some are deliberately a different way of presenting what has been already established somewhere else, it is still an educational process to listen to the quotes that define humanity and most ideologies. These are quotes you’ll bring to the grave knowing, quotes that are so steep they echo in your mind. Anyways going BACK TO gameplay, yes the data comes with an education quote, the quote defines what the next research data will be, for example if it’s something like “Quantum Mechanics” or “Capitalism, buy my stuff blah blah” it will help you in that scenario, data brings research that can be a new armor, special ability, gun that you can customize on your units OR a new unit like aquatic machines or air forces. Outside of that are researches, researches take (Depending on the base’s efficiency) along 10 steps, so does creating units, most producing process take like 6 to even 60 turns for a base to produce, researches bring stuff that improve your bases, such as:  a research that makes people more satisfied (to not riot), a research that brings better development and EVEN A RESEARCH that BRINGS IMMORTALITY ITSELF. Researchers are everything, they will shape your base and shape how you produce stuff, you won’t be able to produce stuff if you don’t have the data on how to produce it, some researches are “Projects” that are permanent and not for a single base and take an huge time to actually be done, it’s well worth it though because you get a permanent special ability and a little cutscene showing t what you just did narrated by a quote. These cutscenes are LIFE CHANGING AS WELL, they’ll leave you in awe, and some are really unexpected.  Data is also in a way currency (Energy is currency by the way in Alpha Centauri), you can share data from commlinks that you get when you find the other people on the planet, and you can help other teams out by giving them data in return for some data that can be quite useful. Depending on your character some researches are more accessible than others considering the ideology you take on (A religious person does not sit well with the idea of extreme technology for example). Each character has their own stats for little things as well other than just ideologies. Of course irony does exist and most characters have most accessibility to everything even if they go against it in a way, but then again WHO PLAYS MIRRIAM?(Religious character extremely against technology but ironically has to use it to an extent that she is colonizing a planet). The game is pretty complex but as you can and how I explained it’s actually pretty simple, you can win the game several ways depending on the custom rules you can set, you can win the game by becoming immortal really or just cooperatively share the earth with others (you’ll have to take some 4 factions out at least I think though, some do not connect that well), the game has a lot of options in terms of research and you can always guarantee yourself a new experience each time you randomize a map to play on, there’s a chance you’ll get different weaponry depending on the variation of options you have. Alien Crossfire is a bit of a wacky addition, it adds 7 more characters that I must of mentioned includding the creepy half-alien child, a pirate, hackers and 2 aliens that are at war with each other that introduce a lot of new tech with them. It's a very good standard DLC as it adds double the content on the same level. The voice acting is great, given within with all of the character's each real nationality in their proper accents, and each faction you choose has a little jingle that happens each time a conquest happen or you check on your base. They aren't the best jingles but they're cool appregios, other than that there is just few music which is ok theme wise. 

But yes, that’s basically it but what gets me is it’s eerie atsmophere, everything is certain to raise an eyebrow, from the science that COULD Happen in theory to the scenario of which what is the future of mankind. Truly to think too much about the future is obviously a sad thought even so it is a very educational game, in a way, I would say given the scenario and ideologies, everyone is WRONG. But… Nobody is right…. I still can’t get over this thought. And I think for that reason I am not being in control of the future of humanity. But then again neither should 7 insane factions I have a selection from.  In general all ideologies go to a final point and if you think about it too much, it becomes dark, the final point is of course: Humanity is doomed.

The game almost never stops being entertaining as it always has something to show you, and the variation of randomness is very big considering you can have an entire game and discover something you never did. Even so, I think a single game would take days if to discover every single aspect, plus you would be controlling yourself because I think it wouldn’t take that much time to win.

It is perhaps one of the most thoughtful games that not only teaches you about many ideologies in a nutshell but lets you experience them first hand, it is indeed one of the few media products that manage to present humanity very well. It is an epic, it is a glorious theoretical discovery within itself.  Story is extremely well crafted, universe is incredibly detailed.

 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

    

I find this game SO interesting and almost mandatory to play if anyone wants an learning experience as well. I was afraid of most of strategic games because they are usually slow paced, badly designed for simplicity and accessibility, but this single game has changed my mind about the genre, it was my first actual strategic game and I love it so much. It is so much fun and so god damn interesting with a lot to do. This game is easily one of the best because of the setting, the mood and experience that are extremely unique and satisfying. It manages an immersion nothing like it can do. It isn’t simply a game, it is more thought-provoking than others and it is pretty subtle with the messages it wants to bring. It’s a game you can win and find very much fun… But at what cost? 

Silent Hill 2

Silent Hill 2

By: Konami

Year: 2002

Genre: Survival Horror

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Considered by some as the best of the franchise, notably because it is the most well I guess ahead of its time dark plot with symbolic undertones and atsmophere I guess? Silent Hill 2 is the proper sequel to Silent Hill considering it is its own game! What i’m getting at which some people don’t understand is that Silent Hill is more about the subconcious or psychology of the protagonists of Silent Hill 2 rather than Silent Hill itself. It does throughout in the game give some lore and hints about what’s going on throughout in Silent Hill but it never is the main concern, the main concern is James Sunderland who is going to Silent Hill to find his wife, and finds 4 people around him with similar problems. With that being said I hope you don’t get disappointed that in the end you didn’t learn what is Silent Hill, if you really wanted to know about that I wouldn’t of started with Silent Hill 2! Silent Hill 2 is more of a singular artistic project with deep symbolism, not the cheating kind in which you’ll only know 100% about the symbolism if literally the creator itself sells you the info of what Is what in symbolic land but it’s the pretty simple and obvious kind in which while playing for the second time you’ll get it. The Silent Hill franchise has always been known for me as Resident Evil: But simpler and easier. This sequel doesn’t disappoint! It basically simplified the idea of survival horror, controls feel a bit more smooth and combat is pretty simple, but in usual all it is really is: Use melee weapon 3 or 4 times and kick them in the ground, and other than that you can simply avoid all. Silent Hill 2 is what you can call perhaps the easiest Survival Horrror game out there if you don’t get stuck on some easy exploring, which if by the time you play this and you REALLY do enjoy exploring so be it. You can really tell they were going for a more linear straight to the point game In terms of design not PLOT hehe. Yeah like I’ve said before the plot is very convoluted; Silent Hill 2 is considered the best of the series because it is its own story and perhaps would be open for interpretation on what Silent Hill is (if it wasn’t for the hints explaining what Silent Hill is) to talk about it is to ruin it’s atmospheric experience of discovering the situation of the characters. If you don’t get the by far easiest symbolism in this game, you’re probably as dense as the censorship companies who over looked this game’s undertones (Just kidding I’m pretty sure they knew, besides it was indeed a gory game so they had no chance to rate it for M) but truly Silent Hill 2 is considered VERY innovative for it’s very dark themes. The very same way Twin Peaks got some attention because it was one of the first shows to touch on some dark subjects as well. (Seeing the resemblance of these two media products which are both atmospherically weird? I do! And so does the game which includes quite a lot of references of The Shinning and Twin Peaks).  But of course! Let us talk about this games presentation, this game is OUTSTANDING looking, every screenshot is perfect, the camera positions are also cool sometimes and of course the atmosphere! THE ATSMOPHERE! Of course to be talking about the atmosphere quite a lot gets annoying but I’ll be honest, it’s where the game shines, as a horror game it’s not really horrifying as it is as creepy, there is not as much spooks than the last game and it truly is mostly in an all going down groomy experience.  Silent Hill 2 is a game you can play any time you want but maybe its perhaps better when you are void of emotion if you perhaps want to get that feeling out of the game that badly. And of course the weirded out sad feeling of the game wouldn’t be as much if it wasn’t for the music. The music is loved by so many it is considered a classic, a fair blend of creepy weird experimental sounds in the game, pretty down grunge music and some trip hop throughout. The best I’ve seen in video games for sure.


Silent Hill 2 is a very simple survival horror game (and honestly I’m better off with that), any simpleton could grab this game and beat it to the end (those who get stuck on puzzles/exploring what not too if they have the patience), with a GREAT symbolic plot which is simple yet memorable. I was one of the people who played this game and after beating it had somewhat of a sour taste too but in the afterhours of beating it I slowly came to accept it and love it for what a beautiful game it is. But it is obvious it was more so intended for people who enjoy sad slow music and horror, such as one of my friends that has schizophrenia.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5



  

Silent Hill 3

Silent Hill 3

By: Konami

Year: 2003

Genre: Survival Horror

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






SiN Episodes: Emergence

Sin Episodes

By: Ritual Entertainment

Year: 2006

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Singularity

Singularity

By: Raven Software

Year: 2010

Genre: FPS

Length:  7 hours 

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Skullgirls

Skullgirls

By: Lab Zero Games, Reverge Labs

Year: 2013

Genre: Fighting

Length: Lab Zero Games, Reverge Labs

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger

Art
Note
Eye
Heart

A beautiful fighting game, one with a unique style set in this art deco universe in which some mafias are fighting each other, a science lab creating girls,   and what could be perhaps something for new comers who never tried fighting games (considering for me one of its great features is the tutorial mode that explains you how to play fighting games) or people who strangely want a little calm down from faster 2d fighting games and go to something more basic. Skullgirls is arguably famous due to including many internet celebrities inside the crew related to animating or the fighting game scene and having. Out though I do understand many of the reasons why people that enjoy a more bigger in depth fighting game made by a bigger developing team and not just what Skullgirls basically is, a more floaty, short and cutesy version of the Marvel Vs. Capcom series, out though the game doesn’t show anything particular new only having it’s charisma going for the most parts, with the PC I honestly realized they fixed some of the issues that made people hate the game on its launch. Like I’ve said before, the game has a fully tutorial this time with so many chapters including on how to basically do everything and a moveset you can bring up anytime, yes I KNOW THIS IS EXPECTED IN MOST FIGHTING GAMES BUT hey IT’S THERE NOW. One of my most loved features of the game is perhaps the audio, it composed by the same person who has made the soundtrack to Symphony of the Night, that and quite lovely voice acting that has made me chuckle one or twice while playing the game. The game in general is quite short sadly, only having 9 characters and maybe more in the future and for each campaign just being one battle and having screens that don’t move with hardly any dialog.  Even though yes the game is short in quantity what it has to offer is very good, especially for a simple game, all of the characters are lovable, interesting and great to control and for some odd reason have one of the fattest hips ever made in video games (atleast drawn) while yes there are some lazy art moments such as stale screens and sometimes the backgrounds, the game primary’s gameplay feel and visuals are glorious to look at, the smooth animation is done very well on almost any screen while looking HD as possible. The music and style in general of the game is very well done being one of my favorites and is quite memorable. Out though it isn’t the best of fighting games it is quite a memorable one and I quite enjoyed it to an amount.

Skullgirls ends up being more or less of a toned down version of existing famous fighting games nowadays but with the new PC version with its new feature it repairs some of its failures that makes it very much more tolerable and if anything what it was made for, making accessibility for newcomers. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5



Skullpogo

Skullpogo

By: Chevy Johnston

Year: 2008

Genre: Arcade, Freeware

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger











Sleeping Dogs

Sleeping Dogs

By: Square Enix

Year: 2012

Genre: RPG, Sandbox

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

You're a cop. I'm an undercover cop.  Pretty much one of the best sandbox games I’ve played in while, I can truly call it one of the only sandbox games I’ve played where it feels as if the places really look like they took effort to make as well! Level design is excellent and I don’t think many sandboxes can convey the same type of emotion via locations! The game is pretty “Yakuza: If it was more western”, I have no idea why no people have compared it that much considering the combat in this game is obviously an idea influenced by it. For starters… This game has one of the most joyful combat ever, it just feels as if you are the king of kung fu in this game and you can kick all sorts of asses! You can defend yourself, run attack, jump attack, strong attack and do various other moves and later on when you level up learn new moves! This game has minor RPG elements that somewhat add to the game, based on cop missions or triad missions you will win triad experience and cop experience which can make you level up your triad or cop levels to learn new moves, you can also learn new moves from getting statues. Talking about triad and cops, it’s time I talk about the plot, the plot is about a Chinese person who lived in America and came back to China as a undercover cop to solve the crimes of the triad, he finds various people and does lots of crime stuff while still trying to keep he’s sanity as a undercover cop. One of the amazing things about this game is the parkour elements It gives, you will be jumping at high speed and grapping in allot of locations! Many missions will have places soley dedicated for platforming jumping while some places outside of missions will be designed to find a collectable. Collectables are almost mandatory, having dates with characters you meet out during the game will give you there cellphone, after calling them you will be able to do a mission that will facilitate your search with collectables around the game (This was really sad because the first time I played I didn’t know you could call them and just tried to find all of the collectables without a help), these collectables can give you money, a special item or anything that will boost up your stats. It’s rare, but yes there is gun gameplay, and it’s not that creative but I do enjoy it a bit more than the usual games because it’s feels a bit satisfying to gain easier headshots and its inclusion of bulletime, what is REALLY fun though would be the car chases, I wish so much there were more car chases because it is really fun to shoot the tires of cars and shoot the drivers and it’s just good and sometimes even more entertaining than the melee combat.

Sleeping Dogs ends up being one of the freshsest takes on the "GTA Clone" with it's wonderful fun gameplay, funny scenes here and there and just a insane amount of action.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5




Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut

Sonic Adventure DX

Ahhh!

By: SEGA

Year: 2004

Genre: 3D Platformer, Survival Horror

Length: 7 to 10 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Suppose to be a remake to first Sonic 3d game (well at least the first canon 3d sonic game) that was released in 1999, and boy you can feel that this game tried too hard to be 3d and also aged very horribly.... Very... Very horribly. Which makes me kind of disappointed because deeply inside my heart, i feel that this is a decent game? BUT I’m kind of forced to review it as a bad game considering it has MANY flaws around here and there such as awful camera, lots of glitches, boring fillers and way much more. These don't make this game good enough to give a good score... Ahhh! Something I gotta talk about first is the hilarious mouth animation (and animation in general of the game), I mean DEAR god what did they do? Personally this was the highlight of the whole entire game. And a funny thing about them is that, in the in-game cutscenes the animation feels so dead and even stop motion at some parts, and when the cutscene is over you are STUNNED and amazed on how the in-game animation and smooth walking of Sonic is 100000 times more alive than the in-game cutscenes, it's pretty much feels as if it was the smoothest animations in game history. That's how much the in-game cutscenes make the in-game gameplay shine. In Sonic Adventure DX you can choose from 6 characters with each one having their own style of gameplay, some characters are faster than the others (especially, the others), some gameplay mechanics of the characters can be fun and some can't. Most of the levels in the game are reached from an annoying sandbox which has no purpose at all, what happened to the straight to the point Act 1, Act 2 stuff in the first Sonic games? The only reason they added this annoying sandbox was to make the game look 3d and the second reason was of course, filler. There where moments where I got stuck for the dumbest reasons in places because i would mostly get lost, but for my luck there were always a annoying red glowing star which gives you hints on where to go next, the problem about this red glowing star is that sometimes it shows up and sometimes it doesn't, not only that but there may be times where it LIES to you, putting you in the opposite direction of where you wanted to go. It's also very annoying that most of the time you can accidently not activate a In-game cutscene or level by simply running past it, so you gotta be EXACTLY at the spot unless you’re not going to activate the super lame in-game cutscene that will put you in the level that wasn't even worth the 2 hours you spend in the sandbox. It is also kind of mandatory in the sandbox to find special items to proceed to locations where the levels are at, these special items are usually around green glowing rings, after you get them they are forever equipped with the characters, you will usually see them in the in-game cutscenes. Now that I bragged for like hours on the UNNECESSARY sandbox let's finally talk about the ones who inhabit the annoying sandbox.

Sonic: classic speed levels, which for me the only memorable and good level of all of them was the FIRST one, the very FIRST level of Sonic is pretty much the only level I enjoyed which was kind of sad, I didn't like the other stages because they mostly tend to be unfair and sometimes be too puzzle oriented and completely forget about the whole mission about being a game about SPEED. Sonic is also the first and only character you can begin with, you can play the other characters when you unlock them by simply meeting them face-to-face at least once in a cutscene.

Tails: levels are pretty much Sonic levels except rehashed into... Better levels! This has to be the first Sonic game in which the Tails levels are actually better than Sonic levels, it still blows my mind that Tail's levels are more oriented about speed and racing than Sonic levels are, the primary mission of Tails missions is to race against someone and beat them to the finish, you can fly so pretty much half of the level you will be in the air cheating and taking short cuts to win (not that you can win fairly by running).

Knuckles: levels for me are the easiest levels in the whole game, i really do wish there were more levels based on this instead of bad levels they simply put in for filler. Like tails you can fly... well it isn't really Flying it’s more of a glide thing and it's pretty fast compared to Tails flying, you can also dig(after you find special items which allows you to), you can climb on MOST of the walls (you can't climb at some places) and you attack by punching sonic waves. The primary mission of Knuckles levels is to find pieces of the Master Emerald. The pieces are randomly scattered in places around the stage and you gotta find them all by sometimes press buttons and solving puzzles oooor you could simply find them by killing enemies or getting to a place where it is. Something that bothers me ALLOT in the Knuckles levels is the fact that the camera in this game is BEYOND awful making it so hard to simply solve a puzzle or go through A GOD DAMN corridor.

Gamma: My favorite character out of them all, gameplay is unique and fun, stages are simple and you get a short cute well told plot about a robot going against his master on top of that all. Anyways, Gamma (full name being E-102 Gamma) is one of the robots created by Eggman to go and get a frog. (Also known as Froggy, BIG THE CAT's friend) After doing so, plot happens and suddenly you start to malfunction and somewhat gain emotions and have a new primary mission that is: Destroy all the other robots in your team. Levels are unique because of the way Gamma attacks enemies, you hold your attack button and go into aiming mode, you aim at stuff and when you release the attack button he shoots missiles at those things, Gamma's levels are kind of easy because of this due to the fact that you can attack enemies from a long distance and care less about danger, PLUS you float so no platform problems here! Every time you do a action. Gamma repeats it in a robotic voice like "CHANGE MODE" or "PUSH", which is kind of a funny thing to add to the game. The only complains i have about this campaign is that the levels are timed, but you can get some extra seconds by defeating enemies you find around... And for no reason too! Considering Gamma's levels are so easy and accomplished so fast! The other flaw is the fact that at the last level you have no idea you got to use the boat to go the Egg Carrier. You try to get an idea from the red glowing star thing but the only thing it says to you is to get to the Egg Carrier crash in the jungle, in other words she LIES to you not helping you AT ALL.

Amy: Oh boy, again... For a game about SPEED this sure is SLOW. Out of all characters, Amy is officially the worse to control (Big the Cat comes in second place but his stages don't require you to walk that much like Amy's levels do) Levels are somewhat similar to Sonic's levels but with even more puzzles and less speed, to add to the frustration the primary goal of the level is to end the level without being killed by a giant invisible robot trying to kill you. I seriously hate so much the speed of Amy, they couldn't do worse on programming her running, the only way to get her running is to first do a jump attack and then go narrow as much as you can, I think the primary reason I want to run is to do the running attack that is a huge jump Amy does by using her hammer, this HELPS allot in levels and is OBLIGATORY at times. In other words, you're the slowest hardest to control character in the game being chased by a giant robot? Wow, sounds fair!

Big the Cat: Seriously, fuck this character.

I have to talk soley about the speed in this game now... For the last time. The gameplay in the game in this game is... Not always fast, it's a huge disappointment that this game half of the time is slower than any non-sonic game out there, the only characters with actual decent walking speed would be Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and even Gamma. The other characters such as Amy and... BIG THE CAT usually walk slow, have slow levels and have no purpose at all in the game other than being filler and trying to ACT that my time is being fulfilled by playing this game. I don't think I have said about it but, it's obligatory to beat all the characters, so you gotta go through the pain of playing one of the worse levels in video game history.

The bosses in this game are easy, have no real appeal other than watching what could happen to Chaos each time he gets larger. In fact, this game gets the prize as the easiest final boss of all times, I could not believe i wasted my time on the whole game just to get to one of the easiest and lamest bosses of all times. But then again I was expecting too much from this game when I started playing. {C}As a little extra in the DX version of the game, there is mission mode and Game Gear games you get for getting a number of medals, the game gear games don't help me in the fact that im super disappointed with this game and the mission games don't HELP at all, they are the most worthless filler I’ve ever seen, all of the missions are mostly "Collect 50 things around the town!" and only make me hate the sandbox inside the game more.

Yes, this game has the Chao Garden, but i don't feel attracted to it, most of the time im occupied by main missions and the Chao Garden is always in some place i don't want to go and reach. There are some eggs you find around the sandbox by doing some simple puzzles such as replacing an egg for a rock in a jewelry store of some sort, or just pushing something and a egg pops out. Other than all the flaws it has, it's the gold ol’ chao garden where you raise little creatures called Chaos and grind them by feeding coconuts and various animals you get from defeating enemies in the real levels of the game.

Ohhhhh god... I still feel sad for being so critical for this game but it simply didn't feel GOOD or fun. It is pretty slow, the music is not memorable at all (with some exceptions like the first level music), the camera is horrible and will annoy you allot, lots of stuff in the game have no purpose at all and feels like horrible filler and most importantly the game was SLOW and I DIDN'T GO FAST... THIS IS A SONIC GAME, I GOTTA GO FAST. {C {C}If you had the chance to play the Sonic Adventure demo for your Dreamcast, keep it at that. That demo has everything you'll ever need, the best level in the entire game and the annoying Big the cat level. It shows both the good side and down side of the game and I love that demo for it.

You want an actually good game? Go play Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5

Sonic Generations

Sonic Generations

By: SEGA

Year: 2011

Genre: 3D Platformer, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger This was clearly the front runner for Sonic in ages.


Sonic Robo Blast 2

Sonic Robo Blast 2

By: Sonic Team Junior

Year: 2010

Genre: 3D Platformer, Third Person Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger



Space Channel: Part 2

Space Channel Part 2

By: SEGA

Year: 2002/2011

Genre: Rhythm

Length: 4 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

This HAS To be one of the best rhythm games ever to be made. It’s difficulty is very moderate and the type of game you learn to play and never forget to play it, (considering you’d be looking back thinking WOW how was this level hard for me?) which I guess could erase some replayablity outside of wanting to 100%... Hah! Just kidding, this game has an extra version for when you want to replay it and anyways this GAME IS SO Catchy you will want to play it another time.  But other than that it has an infinite mode, some unlockable playable modes, co-op and a model gallery. Which I simply love… THE MODELS IN THIS GAME. This game is just THE game with all the dance moves, I’m so at awe at how well the beat feels within this game. But then again, it is a game that features Michael Jackson as an actual character… Hopefully with this all rumors of SEGA working with Michael Jackson are proven because c,mon.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

This is the one and only games I can give the award for being the best Simon Says simulator  without a single hint of irony. 

SpaceCom Chapter 1: The Big Gib

SpaceCom Chapter 1 The Big Gib

By: Nathalie Lawhead

Year: 2010

Genre: Non-Theory, Flash

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Space Funeral

Space Funeral

By: The Catamites

Year: 2010

Genre: RPG

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Spore

Spore

By: Electronic Arts

Year: 2008

Genre: Simulator

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl

S.T.A.L.K.E.R

By: GSC Game World

Year: 2007

Genre: FPS, RPG, Simulator, Survival Horror

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat

1303020051930

By: GSC Game World

Year: 2010

Genre: FPS, RPG, Simulator, Survival Horror

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Startopia

Startopia

By: Mucky Foot Productions

Year: 2001

Genre: Sim

Length: 15 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/'''''1 Player Shinaz Larger+

Hello, your all pal Arona here… Gots a good written review of Startopia here, no pandering to the game itself as presumed, hope you don’t get too offended but I’ve at least got it cheap for ya. A sim game in SPACE! No, not like those actual boring space simulators but more like a variation of tycoon games! You’re a space guy, (no species introduced whatsoever) to take care of this space hotel of some sorts, could be a space prison as well depending on the mission or yours choice that’s a giant ring in space and is visited by all sorts of aliens in which are either your customers or people you can hire! It’s your job to take care of your little space place with your sassy sidekick robot friend and somewhat illegal alien trader you got to know called Arona.  I’ll be honest at the start, this isn’t a tycoon game that does OFFER much… Which is a bit weird for tycoon games considering their length strives on how much content. But yes, perhaps after the first time you beat all the missions and you get a hang of what the game has to offer in all of its separate categories (I’ll go on with this category thing later) after that you will just play the free mode about 4 or 5 times and be over with it. Also this is a game with COMPETTIVE online, like… Battling tycoons against tycoons? Truly seems outrageous. But yes, it’s a tycoon game at heart, it may have a lot of different things going for it but it’s a tycoon game and yeah I guess it’s pretty fun at that, it has variation in its tycoon styles though, it can be a prison tycoon, a living or entertainment tycoon, a planting tycoon and amongst others space trading and general construction. But honestly at the end of the day it will just be like around 10 things to do and there is SO LITTLE TO DO with those 10 things, it’s just gonna be the same precautions over and over with boring objects.  WOW… THIS GAME IS ACTUALLY PRETTY REPPETIVE. What’s funny is that free mode lets you have enough money to buy space, I should at least introduce the fact that being the whole idea of the ship being a ring, the 3D visuals are PRETTY COOL!  The game is mostly in first person like any tycoon but you turn with the ship going around it’s round donut shape, but either way it’s cool to spinning around endlessly if you have all of the places on it open due to money by just pressing the right or left strafe to keep spinning BUT… Why so much space really what’s the point? With literally 4 blocks I have enough to do all activities, there’s no reason BUT I GUESS this is where competitive play comes in! Still, pretty boring to keep on with these same operations the very first 10 missions gave me.  And honestly many missions can be slow and boring and if you really don’t want to go out and listen to all of the quirky well voice acted British voice dialog, you can just play the game on free mode and feel free. It seems that a lot of stuff in this game is blocked for no apparently reason and you have to make laboratories to research each very SINGLE THING you want to use. The game also doesn’t tell you the reason of the levels in the ship. The soundtrack is pretty nice, a bit geeky of course but that’s expected, for example it SAMPLES 70S SCI-FI SHOWS AND B-MOVIES SO it has that aspect of it, some music is charming but like the game itself can be repetitive technologic crud. 

The game is too easy when you know what to do and too hard when you don’t know what to do, it’s very charming, has great visuals and effects, over all COULD be considered really joyful game where you can enjoy your space… AND THAT’S A LOT OF IT. This game is a bit lovely in those terms and might be a memorable experience for those but It’s too repetitive. 

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5

                                 

Shattered Horizon

Shattered Horizon

By: Futuremark Games Studio

Year: 2009

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+




Spec Ops: The Line

Spec Ops The Line

By: Yager Development

Year: 2012

Genre: Third Person Shooter

Length:'' 6 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Art
Note
Eye
Heart

You had no choice. Considered by many to break the ice with (what is obvious by the start or the game or half of the game obvious)… Well for starters it's already a bit special for me because It’s odd that this entire game is in Dubai considering Dubai is usually a last level. It’s also odd Dubai is even having a war to begin with but it’s a WHAT IF game with a WHO ARE THE REAL MONSTERS ideology, that’s basically the result being a double deep.

You know what I’ll just talk about the gameplay and other aesthetics; you play as typical squad of American soldiers sent in to save a round of survivors after a radio broadcasting from an old army friend and you find yourself in a post-apocalyptic Dubai, the entire place and locations are beautiful like to be honest I’ve never seen sand or hotels in video games be this good looking until now, level design is probably what this game peeks at while it’s plot comes in second place, while gameplay comes a bit later in the competition considering out though decent doesn’t have that much of a variation later in the game other than difficulty spiking up and I mean up! This game isn’t only a cover shooter but strickly a cover shooter, if you even decide once to leave out of your cover you’ll be killed in a short amount (frustrating for those who can’t press space bar fast enough and accidently don’t  take cover while dangling around), the game has strategy features in a minimal amount such as being able to send in one of your friends to shoot someone specifically that has you pinned down which is something that happens quite allot as well considering you constantly run out of ammo for your guns due to only having usually on max 2 reloads per gun after they go empty and you have to get another one. 

Honestly I apreciate this game very much, the visuals, the extra mile of plot it dedicates itself to, the action and all that stuff it's simply that... I think it's silly and shouldn't be taken that seriously honestly. I don't think people should think this video game as a masterpiece that showcases what war does to someone NO. It's just.... Too silly to me. And of course I think people who consider this game to be deep silly as well as there are better examples of video games managing to showcase a message better than this.  Would also like to say that because every single person in this video game is kind of insane themselves I don't think people would relate that much to them.  It's just.... A surreal situation you know it doesn't need to affect anyone on an emotional level.  It also has a poor illusion of choice. But guess what game? I've chosen that this game doesn't need to be deep to be special, but rather I enjoy the game for being a aesthetically pleasing third person shooter where I can randomly murder people. Completely REGARDING the useless message. How evil. 

Spelunky

Spelunky

By: Derek Yu

Year: 2008

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





SSH : Mod Messup 1 : WTF MOD

SSH Mod Messup 1 WTF MOD

By: FPDream Software

Year: 2009

Genre: FPS, Mod, Survival Horror

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Starbound Editor's Choice

Starbound

By: Chucklefish Games

Year: 2013

Genre: Adventure, Sandbox, Survival

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Well for starters I can imply that this game is quite amazing. Yup, we are starting on that note apparently. The game is based around the idea that you can choose between some 6 species (So far, the game I’m playing is the beta but it’s pretty much a full game for now with some missing elements) that are stuck in the middle of this universe, you discover planets and cultures as you go, can make houses and shelters around them and upgrade your space ship as you adventure! The game is really interesting for these elements of self discovery, honestly in my experience the game never stopped delivering something interesting or new so it was truly fine experiences, there are many items and furniture’s like HELL, descriptions and dialogs for them. And I guess most of the plot around the game is implemented around either visual context or the books you find around towns. Reading In this game is quite fun as there are allot of books and dialog in which you may read or your character say about each item he sees! Just… Ugh, so much content in one little simple game it would seem! Starbound may seem like the typical spawn of what happens when indie games such as Minecraft and it’s somewhat influenced 2D game somewhat of the same Terraria keep releasing every single year in attempt to make some quick easy money for an empty game in which the player’s CREATIVITY, but honestly on my side of the perspective ends up being something more of influence from games such as Star Control II or maybe another indie game I love Cortex Command! Well anyways going back to Minecraft and Terraria, this is an example of that type of game being done CORRECTLY, like what those games should have been in the first place. All those years of disappointment in low content or lies of something greater have mostly been fixe this time and how! I’ve been playing the game for like 5 days straight and I still feel as if I got some weeks ahead of me from entertainment I can get from this game. Basically, this game is huge and it may end up being one of this year’s great contenders in being one of the game with allot of effort. This is one of those games that seem to never stop being interesting in my eyes, each planet has this one thing which is new and a twist of some sort, the discoveries of a new planet never stop. May start off slow but some stuff start to kick in as you leave your first planet and start to explore, heck I didn’t even knew what I was supposed to fuel my ship on my first playthrough! The atmosphere which might be one of the first priorities for people for these types of games is quite good, like mentioned, the discoveries of cultures and stuff is always charming and the music always is there to help you with your experience, unless you are in a cave (which has no music). The music is… I guess cliché to an amount but it’s quality is pretty good and it reminds me quite allot of the same type of orchestra going for games such as Skyrim, oddly enough some music is QUITE happy and reminds me too of Sims music, great for when you want to build a house in the game.

Pixel art and animation are a mouth full in this game! AS there are allot of stuff to explore, many stuff is well animated and well... pixelated. It’s wonderful, they did a great job in presentation allot, sound quality is great and some stuff will give you chills of how it goes, such as the ship lifting.  Allot of stuff moves and usually in a place of the game many stuff is placed in a location so it most of the time it would seem homes seem like an incredible machine with all of the clustered items, in a good way of course. Great for those who enjoy allot of things at once in their screen. There are allot of gameplay elements such as starvation and body heat which if you do not care of you will die and lose 30% of your money, nothing more nothing less, of course 30% later might be more of a problem! I would say if it isn’t one of the most unforgiving of its kind considering you keep your items but I am very happy with that, stuff like that may make you hate the game’s unfairness and make you want to stop playing but the fun is to be had here, the game’s difficulty is a bit balanced guessing on what equipment you find to make the game easier. Items you find, or make from typical mining from supplies you find on planets. Speaking on unforgiving, snow planets and moons are a PAIN to navigate considering of body heat which is almost impossible to be had without placing a fireplace to keep warm… For each single block you walk. Even if the game keeps staying interesting with all of its content some monsters may be recolored and divided between species of audio (Some monsters have the same monsters). The primary theme is supposed to be sci-fi as stuff start but as you keep playing it seems to be a bit variational, heck sometimes the game even goes to a fantasy amount of parts, but those heavy fantasy parts may be implemented for robots perhaps. Speaking of gameplay in general, there is a variation of weapons with different speeds and attacks but as it is a simple 2d battle sequences it’s basically goes for jumping and attacking, easier to design than a 3d battle though, so it’s still better than most of its variations. Going on with mining, this game seems there is allot to upgrade, many stuff to craft and many stuff to conquer, it’s just a game that doesn’t give you a break as there is always something to be making.

I grabbed the game during its beta but I believe the game Is somewhat finished as it is, given if you like games for their visual context and not plot wise. Some tweaks are missing like some descriptions for items or simply item functionality but I’m sure these small things will be completed around the way. Of course, some tutorials are missing as like I mentioned before, got stuck in some moments but luckily found some info online on how to proceed my story. Overall it does feel like the game will implement more content, more functionalities and more plot over the time of it’s development.

Easily by far one of the best of its kind, one of the only ones that isn’t bland while you get a hold of it. It might be slow for some in terms but content seems to never stop flowing, many monsters, many planets, many stuff to upgrade and conquer as this is one of the hugest bargains I’ve seen in a while in the VAST emptiness of space. Warning: may be addicting. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5




StarCraft

Starcraft

By: Blizzard Entertainment

Year: 1998

Genre: RTS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Steel Storm: Burning Retribution

Steel Storm Burning Retribution

By: Kot-in-Action Creative Artel

Year: 2011

Genre: Isometric Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Street Fighter X Tekken

Street Fighter X Tekken

By: Capcom

Year: 2012

Genre: 2D Fighting

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Art
Note
Eye

Street Fighter picks up a fight with someone from  another universe once again, this time with Tekken, of course keep in mind Street Fighter in the title comes first, so it is more of a Street Fighter game than a Tekken game (Which I rather prefer, not really a fan of 3d Fighting games). I can truly say it is one of the faster and smoother than whatever Street Fighter 4 tried to be, and I’m glad for that! The game’s gameplay theme is tagging, you choose a selection 2 characters that can switch at any time for either one take a rest and restore their HP, unlike other Capcom games that include tagging in this one if someone of the 2 dies, you lose a match, so it does make you keep in mind you to use 2 health bars wisely! There are default duos that automatically are pointed in the character menu that are next to each other in pairs, each duo have a similar combat form that go hand in hand like let’s say the most common example Ryu and Ken.  The styles of combat inside this game are really fun as well, I’m surprised they managed to make every single character inside the game really easy to play; there is no huge gap in between the heavy, light, slow, fast, grabbers, combo easy characters and etc which makes it a very colorful and balanced character rooster. There hasn’t been one character I had issues to get used to or got bored of learning what are his moves and style and get used to it, most of the characters are really fun to main with, you could say it is a more ARPOACHABLE way of designing the game. The most Tekken characters are here and I just love to see how they act in 2d, they’re move sets (Unlike many of the Street Fighter Team) are made by scratch with of course the influence of the actual Tekken games   The gem system is a bit confusing and supposed to add that gap of complexity it’s missing, which make add somewhat of a RPG element inside an arcade game doing stuff for you, making the game have a bit of a more non-neutral one vs. one battle, dare I say, it could of gone worse like how Call Of Duty handles nowadays RPG elements by simply giving you features that break the game, the gems on the other side don’t come as game breaking as what I expected to. I honestly hardly have any notice of the gems and let them be aside to play the game. Animation and graphics are beautiful; most of the game has this WACKY theme going around where everyone is silly and all, a bit similar to Street Fighter IV’s art style but not quite and more colorful! The way people move is so smooth and fast it’s just really great to see this type of movement every time you turn on the game. Music has a really great number of remixes which are basically many songs from Street Fighter, Final Fight or Tekken songs and seem a bit influenced by Tekken with the theme that Tekken has to make every song electronic, the riffs of guitars are REALLY amazing and the bass and kicks makes every song seem like something you would put inside a club, in general songs can be very catchy, as you play the music changes depending on the round. The stages themselves change each round and for me are by far the most interactive and animated stages in the series so far, there are so much stuff going on in the background and with each round you go a level further of what is happening.

Street Fighter X Tekken simply ends up beign a really great, fluid, fast improvement in the series, with a very fun sense of humor and amazing bright and certain anyone could have taken the game from the streets and start playing it. 

......Oh wait............. Apparently the game is unbalanced and everyone hates it.... Uh... Oh well. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5



  

Super Mario 64 Star Road

Super Mario 64 Star Road

By: Skelux

Year: 2012

Genre: 3D Platforming, Mod

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

I can officially call this my first "Hack" of any game, considering most of the hacked games are hard to get on working, this one on the other side is pretty easy to start up, it already comes done patched up and you simply put it in your emulator and if anything other happens just listen to little text file, so from what you guessed THIS GAME IS EASY TO PLAY unlike MANY other hacks in history that I have tried to experience but failed MISSERIBLY. Super Mario 64 Star Road is suppose to be a fan made sequel to Super Mario 64 and it's one of the most FULLY done modifications I’ve ever found of Super Mario 64, it has about as much (and more) stars as the original Super Mario 64 and has allot of interesting worlds to explore. Many worlds bring back memories of the before Super Mario 64 Era with references and skins to games such as Super Mario Bros. 3 or Super Mario World which gives a great nostalgia feel to the whole theming of this game. Gameplay and everything in this game is mostly STRESSFUL and unfair considering it has a HUGE list of flaws like: the level design is full of places to fall and die, slippery platforms that are so small you could easily fall off them, platforms that if you are NOT 100% PRECICE you will FALL and do the thing all over again, many locations in which you jump to are INPOSSIBLE to return back and the only solution to most of those TRAPPED scenarios is either to do SOMETHING really tricky or killing yourself so that you can try the level again on top of all these FLAWS the camera simply won’t work, I know the game advises me to use some special sort of camera mode but I simply can’t get it to work so I will play the game without it. The concepts of platforming in this mod is to be TRICKY, because about everything requires you to be perfect and flawless, it’s as if the game is CRYING out loud screaming “SAVE STATE BEFORE YOU JUMP! SAVE AND LOAD, DUDE! SAVE AND LOAD!” because that’s the only way I would ever accomplish the almost impossible platforming in this game. I don’t know if I should blame the camera and slippery platforms for this or blame myself for being horrible with emulators, because I do remember being so good at Super Mario 64 back then how I’m I failing so hard at this game? As much as I keep saying how bad the worlds and their Level design are (which is clustered and has horrible platforms) the appearance of it all is actually PRETTY amazing, stages are colorful and have allot of detail and like I said before it brings homage to old Mario games using skins from other games and putting them in Super Mario 64 was a interesting idea. The music in this game isn’t completely original, it’s usually songs from other Mario games and some songs are EVEN from other video games! So wow, thanks for getting out of hand there, I’m pretty sure there were more Mario songs to add in the game but you didn’t. It’s interesting to hear how many songs of the franchise would sound if they were in Super Mario 64 with the soundchip it uses and I gotta admit the comparison is almost flawless with some exceptions of pacing and timing here and there.

Super Mario 64 Star Road is a GREAT game with allot of levels and challenges and is pretty much one of the only hacks I’ve seen with this amount of effort, it is pretty much a full game but sadly the controls and DIFFICULTY make it ALMOST impossible to enjoy and there are points of the game where you know have no IDEA at all what to do (Sadly when I was reviewing this game a manual hasn’t come out yet). So regardless of all of it's gameplay flaw the game is worth the try and fun to explore lots of new worlds but you will get stressed at its stressful gameplay and horrible pacing FOR SURE.

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5

Super Mario Bros. Crossover

Super Mario Bros

By: Exploading Rabbit

Year: 2010

Genre: Flash, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger








Super Mario Bros. X

Super Mario Bros

By: Exploading Rabbit

Year: 2011

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

A very simple fan game that is supposed to take all of what's good about the original Super Mario Bros and give it a smoother engine with more character and more replayability, with also some great minimal presentation.

It lets you choose between 5 characters with the ordinary 4 from Super Mario Bros. 2 and… Link from a similar gameplay from Zelda II. There is an default campaign for you choose and it showcases most of the engine’s features such as different colored fire balls, all of the mechanics from every traditional Mario Bros. games are presented and  it cute features such as presentation of plot, cpu speech boxes and the fact that each character has their own fireball color! It can also present from every Mario Bros. game. 

It controls really well and is very smooth and has a nice framerate, and like said before has most of the mechanics from past games to make the game fresh from time to time, the game also includes jump puzzles that test your Mario Bros might and what not. 

Not only is the single player pretty ok and lovely but it's also available to play player custom levels made by many people, and the game itself is very user friendly for creating maps and creating whole new games using the engine even!


Possibly the best Mario fan game to ever exist, very true to the originals and in general a mix of every traditional Super Mario game into one big game. 

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5





Super Meat Boy

Super Meat Boy

By: Team Meat

Year: 2010

Genre: Indie, Platformer 

Length: 10 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

The plot and presentation is just a haha funny video game references also memes type of game so while are that let’s just throw away the game and not let yourself punish yourself with the considered hard There is a lack of self-punishment especially considering it’s just a sequence of short annoying levels which only thing going for them is the fact that it’s simply a game all about memorizing patterns.  Many consider the music to be very pump but I can’t help but notice the obnoxious use for keys over and over almost as repetitive as the game itself. And you better get used to it because there is over 100 levels in this! Wow, what a waste of time. 

This game’s fame comes from the annoying over achievement losers find when they play over the top easy games with a somewhat difficulty that appeals only to memorizing patterns. And also the annoying Indie culture gamers fuss about too much.  Nothing in this game screams cheap (As in unfair) with the exception of the game’s production being too simple and mindless.


Other than that the only thing you have going for this game is the fact that you are a slippery sloppy meat that can run and jump and I guess you have some control based on that, if that control was more free given this game is almost as free as a rhythm game. 

Shinaz Star Rating 2 out of 5


                                      

Super Monday Night Combat

Super Monday Night Combat

By: Uber Entertainment

Year: 2012

Genre: Third Person Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+



Sumotori Dreams

Sumotori

By: Gravity Sensation

Year: 2007

Genre: Fighter, Non-Theory 

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger

For what it is, it’s still a funny game. A physics based game where it’s basically too drunk wrestlers that want to slap each other, you can control one of them and hilarity ensues for the fact that they fall over and fall over barely being able to stand. It’s truly outrageous and comes with a few selections of features but there are few mods present for it. This is a game for those who think it’s funny too see two huge box people slap each other silly and fall on top of each other. Literally an immensely drugged out drunk fight simulator. Other than that you have a secret option if I remember, to throw boxes at the face of a single one and see him react and try to get up when you throw too many boxes in his face.


There’s not much to talk about this funny silly short game that may get a bit boring after the first week of attempts but the music is as silly as the game and an amazing addition, I simply love it’s synth samples. 

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5



SWAT 4

SWAT 4

By: Irrational Games

Year: 2005

Genre: FPS, Simulator

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger / 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+





System Shock 2

System Shock 2

By: Irrational Games

Year: 1999

Genre: FPS, RPG, Survival Horror

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger / 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger

Considering there is so much stuff out there written about this being an excellent game I rather do the alternative perspective to this game and raise the question “Is it a skipable classic?” I would say yes honestly, the structure, annoying missions, lack of fluidity and gameplay that makes you feel stuck like a rat in a maze have convinced me to consider that this is indeed a game almost everyone that doesn’t want to go through an agonizing experience could skip, it really is the type of game that requires a really sadistic taste, but that doesn’t mean the game isn’t extremely impressive, haha no, like it’s amazing to think this game has a number of amazing features. It’s a type of game which features would be ignored for quite some time (especially considering this game got ignored within the fame of Half Life that isn’t CLOSE to being as big or innovative). In fact it would make more sense that this game would be more famous than Half Life, considering it basically excels in everything Half Life does and more. No really, for what System Shock 2 is (beyond being REALLY hard and boring to play sometimes) is TRULY an original product.

In greater detail what I really don’t like about System Shock 2 is the structure, because system shock 2 would be more enjoyable If it wasn’t for situations where you aren’t either 1. Stuck or 2. Backtracking, these 2 aspects RUIN the game completely. Honestly in my opinion, the idea of having stations where you upgrade yourself was a bad idea considering in my opinion the game should be designed so that you would be able to upgrade anywhere you want, this would open for a level design that isn't catering to backtracking, at least I think it would… I don’t know, it’s just that this game is VERY fresh, but sadly because of its slow pacing anything that is considered new an hour ago becomes highly repetitive throughout the rest of the game, seeing the same enemies over and over again

System shock 2 plot is both silly and complex, maybe it’s because it’s considered a poor concept in my opinion but it happens to be a poor concept that is given a lot of detail too, none of the detail in the end really matters that much but is a nice touch, for example, the news you start with in the half way into the game, is the only real information you need, the information that could be considered a twist but hilariously enough is just expected because it’s probably written on the box. But yes like I’ve said it’s a really NICE addition, this seems like one of the first games to pack more story and punch into it, even though the basis for everything is just: Random crew members in a b-movie scenario doing monologues, good monologues that invest you in this universe and tell you a bit of the story behind each enemy you encounter.  I should add that the voice acting in the game seems unbalanced, they’ll be EXTREMELY good voice actors really getting into the character and situation, showcasing fear and a whole lot of emotions… you know? ACTING! But… On the other hand there will be people who…. Don’t act, they just read the paper. I’ve seen dialog in the game that’s written like “Oh my god, I hope I won’t die!” and spoken in the most monotone voice ever made, as if they didn’t get the point the character is supposed to be emitting an emotion at the time.  This happens mostly around the game and it really makes the actual acting inside it feel really unbalanced. But yes, the plot seems silly but it is trying it’s best to be considered well written even if; of course it’s just a b-plot. It does try it’s best to add psychological reasons into the plot such as the battle between flesh and machine, for example the first antagonist, the biological… Thingamajing, The many, is just obsessed with living and isn’t that much of a bad guy but just… An infestation.  On the other hand though, the infected are all legit assholes.  


Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5

System Shock 2 is extremely innovative for a share of obvious reasons, the way it tells it’s story in virtual diaries you find around, the cinematic moments, the act of being aboard a ship that’s has a big chaotic issue, the variation of gameplay mechanics (even though all gameplay mechanics don’t change the experience that much considering most missions are linear) and I guess, the impressive graphics and style can be noted as well. Of course, like I’ve mentioned in the beginning, it’s just… A hassle to play, really doesn’t feel that smooth the first time you play and really if anything you should play the game with someone who played it first, because that’s the only issue really, once you play the game once you’ll know what to exactly do and not get stuck.  But yes, half way into the game anyone could consider System Shock 2 a VERY boring game, let it be the structure of missions or the fact that you can get lost easily. It is an extremely memorable experience though I should add. I don’t think I’ll forget about the game’s annoying bad structure when my brain is reprogrammed during sleep.   But honestly as much as System Shock 2 might seem innovative, all it is just a more fluent sequel to the first i the series that IS EVEN MORE INNOVATIVE CONSIDERING IT WAS RELEASED BEFORE DOOM. 

Team Fortress Classic

Team Fortress Classic

By: Valve Corporation

Year: 1999

Genre: FPS

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+

Well for starters it’s hard to give a good review to something that is a review to a Half-Life, it’s almost an identical game, it doesn’t even feel like that much of a mod but it’s DOES I guess bring innovative mechanics that what makes Team Fortress actually Team Fortress.  You have around some classes and they all have their overpowered things, mostly I recommend ONLY playing with classes that can explode so much and gain a lot. This is a very crazy game with almost no appeal it seems, everyone you kill you can get your hp back it’s just a massacre, it’s funny because it isn’t even deathmatch based it’s mostly team based and based on defense and what not. And it’s also weird that some classes nowadays are absolutely useless and you would end up using the ones with big guns or a crazy need for putting sentry in locations.

It’s not really an accessible game for being very unbalanced, almost everything is an overpowered weapon and every class is above the maximum, but it’s not really something anyone would play nowadays. It is basically not accessible to people. It’s really hard to recommend other than the fact that you want people to play this CLUSTER of explosions and backpacks flying off with explosions almost everywhere. It doesn’t help that there’s grenades in this game in which each class has a special grenade that does special damage of some kind. It’s really a party game.

This is a ridiculous really to how extreme it can go, but that’s mostly the fun of it, it’s almost been a dead game for quite a while but you can see for yourself how much things are going on at once.


Sorry but actual story time, I got this game pretty late and around Christmas, and it makes you think, who would be playing Team Fortress at Christmas? Either way going quick to the end of the story he was very sad and started crying at the server and that’s when I realized wow this is a game pandering to a specific type of people isn’t it?

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5




Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2

By: Valve Corporation

Year: 2007

Genre: FPS

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+

As much as I want to hate this game I cannot argue that it isn’t a fun game. Because it really is, it was pretty funny when it came out and it still sparkles some amount of interest in me too. It redefines it’s predecessors by elimating what made it into a cluster and gives it more personality.

It’s really interesting a game like this even begins to exist, when you think about it there is hardly any game with as much style and substance as this one, the characters have an amazing amount of personality, each having their own set of dialog. All this and with the fact that this game was first presented with “Meet The” a sequence of animated films done with the engine to show off each capability of the characters… Um… Maybe. Just the first ones though.

*Handled paper by helper* Hm… I see… Um breaking news, apparently the game has drastically changed throughout the years, the game’s became free and apparently weapons that happen to be new have to be bought and some new items completely change the classes absolutely and take away what used to be the more refined classes that specialize in situations. Now in a perspective that this makes an game feel more new for the fact there is more choices and variation BUUT. Not only that but gameplay can be completely erased for the fact hats was introduced, hats are really infamous and happened to be the main goal for Team Fortress 2 since they were introduced.


TF2 is a FPS game with its ups and downs, it isn’t the most serious online fps ever but it has some interesting well done concepts in it, and basically it could of been ruined over the years or it’s simply because it’s just boring. It’s been fun while it was hip but now it’s just as old as the decade it parodies. 

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5


                               

TELEGLITCH

TELEGLITCH

By: Johann Tael, Mihkel Tael & Edvin Aedma

Year: 2013

Genre: Isometric Shooter, Survival Horror

Length: 3 to 8 hours.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Vein

It seems as if many people where trying to find the perfect formula for survival horror while at the same time being really fun and I think they finally found a way to do it. This game is insanely hard but practical I guess, it does have won the achievement of being a game to have one of the most anti-climactic death counts ever. The game is of course a rouguelike with its thing of finding items and dealing with them, using them wisely for survival and if you die you lose them all but it’s not entirely insanely difficult for that it has a very interesting thing I enjoy that when you beat an amount of levels you can continue from a specific level, making it easier for you to get used to the levels and not completely start from level 1. The plot of the game is that a glitch has happened and the robots of the facility want to kill you, the glitch mainly affected the teleport system itself creating void that surrounds the exits. Ironically you gotta find teleports to get out of the facility alive. The game is really hard and the exact amount to make you feel unaware of your actions, the game isn’t impossibly hard but there are various strategies that make the game easier to play, as an example, I didn’t even knew you could get extra items by finding secret place, other than that the gameplay is your typical isometric shooter but like I mentioned before survival elements that make you build and scavenge for items. The animation seems little at first but is really smooth and has quite the amazing effects, somewhat reminding me of Grand Theft Auto a little with its visuals and perceptive. Sound is a bit alarming, the design is great and all but I still don’t understand why loud machines only make there noise when you are right next to them.

Teleglitch ended up being a great and difficult experience that made most of my boring days seem more interesting, yet it was still hard and made me lose my morale quite a few times to beat it.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5







THAT

THAT

By: Xenon

Year: 2011

Genre: Non-Theory, Mod

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






The Binding of Isaac

The Binding of Isaac

By: Team Meat

Year: 2011

Genre: Isometric Shooter, Roguelike

Length: Until you get bored

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Note

A really simple game which is a homage to the gameplay in Legend of Zelda for the NES and Smash TV with its four directions shooting. The game is full of Biblical mythology, many items are references to the bible, mini-bosses are references to the 7 deadly sins and its plot is based on "The Binding of Isaac" which is a story where god tells Isaac parents to sacrifice Isaac. The plot is the same here except with a few modern parodies here and there but Isaac flees into the basement to run from his mother and falls into a dungeon full of satanic monsters and that's where the game starts. Something I must talk about first is the thing I love most about this game, the replay ability. The replay ability is OFF THE CHARTS due to this interesting way of random generating dungeons. Each playtrough the game is unique and different with random level design, over 100 items to be randomly placed in special rooms or after you defeat a battle, over 20 bosses that can be found. So it's pretty sure you'll never play the game twice. You start as Isaac with neutral stats but after defeating the game once with him or at least doing some certain challenges you will be able to unlock different characters with different starting stats and other styles of gameplay due to the fact that they usually come with a special item. Each level can usually have: 1 item room that is a room which you find a random item that will help you in the game and maybe change your appearance, 1 shop which is where you can buy items with the pennies you collect in the dungeons, 1 arcade where you can bet money for items and if you’re lucky you can get a SPECIAL item, 1 secret room which can be found by exploding a wall, 1 Challenge room which you can enter with full health to start a battle with various enemies and in the end you win a prize, 1 Mini-boss room which you can find one of the 7 deadly sins and battle with them (defeating them usually gives you a special item as a prize but it seems it doesn’t happen that much to me) and for last the Boss room where after defeating it you win a special item and could either continue exploring the level (considering how much life you have, the devil room may show up which is a room where you can sell one of your heart containers for special items) or throw yourself in the pit to go deeper into your basement. Some worlds later in the end of the game don’t have all of these rooms which kind of tells you “No need to keep exploring the hard levels you’re not going to find something of value just go to the end already” The design and theming in this game like I said before is based on Biblical Mythology with various references to satanic and sinful stuff but it's way more than that! The Binding of Isaac is gruesome, filled with feces, blood, gore, piss and vomit everywhere! I don’t know if I should laugh at how disgusting it is or actually be disgusted (Which is kind of impossible considering the art style is too cute to be disgusting in my opinion). The music isn’t something really catchy and something you would hum in the bathroom but it’s memorable and super atmospheric, both its DARKISH songs and ACTION TIME songs are amazing, give great moods to the game and aren’t annoying enough to turn down due to the fact that I have played this game SO MUCH TIMES.



Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5

This game is simply addicting, mostly because it has allot of replay value but of course sometimes the violent and REFERENCES to religious stuff gets out of hand, the , it’s just the type of gameplay that will give you entertainment for HOURS. If you like short and simple YET complex games you’re going to want to sacrifice your own son to play this game. The only big problem i have with it is the fact that it uses meme faces as some of the bosses. Talk about original eh? I hate those bad taste jokes of the internet... Ok, who am I kidding? This game is overall decent, and something you'll get out of a flash game, a good flash game but it's could be better and it could lose some items that have no worth at all, and YES ALLOT OF THINGS IN THIS GAME GET OUT OF HAND TO THE POINT OF BEING ANNOYING, it's gameplay can get really reppetive, it's music is not really the best of the composer and he has DONE FAR much better work, and all of the references? Well... It's not really a game to be taken seriously.


The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim

By: Bethesda

Year: 2011

Genre: RPG, FPS

Length: 400 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

First of all, as someone who disrespects HIGLY of fantasy, and by fantasy I mean the blatant unoriginal hacks that come mostly from western or European cultures which is western fantasy, Skyrim’s fantasy is PRETTY good. Skyrim comes from the franchise Elder Scrolls (if you haven’t realized by the full title yet) and yes Skyrim is the EDGIER, more gritty, stylized one of the series and of course there are perhaps mixed opinions about this but my first thought is: I hate Oblivion. Truly Skyrim is the deserved fantasy theme that should have been. There are a lot of people who usually don’t GET Skyrim. People who prefer Morrowind which is supposedly with faster gameplay which is more complex (personally I’m a realist so of course I prefer a newer, more refined, easier with more effort product than something that could be lesser), some don’t like it because it’s broken and some don’t like it for some odd reason such as “I’m allergic to fantasy games”. I want to start this review saying that I for one do appreciate Skyrim. Yeah I’m basically dropping off the bat from the start here in great detail it seems. With that being said I will continue to say what’s great about Skyrim and how I was saying before, it’s theme. Well yeah, Skyrim is fantasy but it’s REALISTIC fantasy in a way? Like its troubles and systems aren’t really different from ours and perhaps it’s mostly a symbolic presentation, and anyways it is mostly a reanactment or their own take of north european floclore. 

This game has been countless times about the moments such as “Are you serious?” Whenever you get a really good surprise whenever it’s an overpowered object or an insane glitch happens. Skyrim isn’t a RPG where you grind; it’s more like going to a super market with enough money to buy some vegetables from the grocery list, the catch? You can afford allot of vegetables. Unlimited veggies. There is literally so much effort in this game, it’s amazing. I honestly could care less how silly the game is considered for the slow gameplay or broken glitches, cheesy dialog and weird lazy animations for most stuff seems to have some amount of appeal. Some places are beautiful, some objects are interesting, some plot is pretty great. Truly one of Skyrim’s best features is content, the number of lore, gods, characters, about everything IS AMAZING.

The variation is quite shocking actually, it’s a game that should be said has no introduction what so ever so I really didn’t knew what to expect. Some places are huge and interesting and even though while typical dungeons are common every one of them could have a mission or a prize of some sort. The game is quite spontaneous considering anything can happen; I was teleported to the other side of a map just because I got a drink and then ended up in a steampunk ancient civilization! It’s essentially the super market of video games.

The Path

The Path

By: Tale of Tales

Year: 2006

Genre: Non-Theory, Survival Horror

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





The Maw

The Maw

By: Hothead Games, Twisted Pixel Games

Year: 2009

Genre: 3D Platformer, Puzzle

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger



The Nameless Mod Editor's Choice

The Nameless Mod
Art
Vein
Note
Eye
Heart

By: Hothead Games, Twisted Pixel Games

Year: 2009

Genre: Mod, RPG, FPS

Length: 20 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

I’ll be honest when I first played this game I knew almost nothing about it, so let alone the concept was really funny and interesting for me, I would of never expected I’d play a brilliant video game like this, truly everything about The Nameless Mod goes beyond expectancies.

The Nameless Mod 2

The nameless mod is simply so filled with character, it is simply amazing and like a nerd’s dream of some sort if they really put all of their emotion to some silly forums board on the internet. No truly, the simple idea of making an internet/video game culture into a video game might put some off but this is literally I say that with all my might the ONLY GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT HAPPENING. It is literally the savior that shows that nerd culture can be pretty cool sometimes and not a bunch of complete asinine that waste their life with nothing. For example the fact that this game exists is very funny, it is a productive way of showcasing how much you love a series. I mean in general this could be considered a big fan-game if the standards of being a fan-game weren’t so low. This ASCENDS that expectation by being its own thing, honestly. It isn’t fully a cyberpunk game (out though the idea of experiencing how video game forums work from a first person perspective in a virtual world kind of does seem cyberpunk) it is a completely original satire. No literally, comparing this to other fan games or basically mods that take inspiration from other games, they just copy paste the formula, but the nameless mod on the other hand is just completely wack, it does have the same engine of course (wouldn’t be a mod without that aspect) but it manages to add so much extra possibilities and gameplay elements. It might even have MORE CONTENT THAN THE GAME IT IS MODDING, WHICH IS IMPRESSIVE CONSIDERING IT'S DEUS EX. Honestly I don't want to spoil about how brilliant and witty this game can be but just the sheer explanations the game gives itself are enough to sell anyone with a heart and an interest. It is a video game about video games without the need of symbolism in a very subtle manner in it's universe thus having one of the best humors out there in terms of video games, this isn't your mediocre webcomic content this is comedy writting of the highest quality to be ever shown in a video game that is self-aware. As nerdy fan fic as it could seem, it actually does an amazing job of immersing you into this culture you were probably were never the part of, it introduces this silly culture SO WELL. Heck, let's go ahead and call it the most immersive introduction to culture ever to be made within a layer of humor and video games. My only complain about this masterpiece of a game is that it is not as balanced as the game it is homaging, for example you CAN get stuck if you don't specifically play it in such a way that you have stats to do something, while Deus Ex was more easy to go seperate ways this one lacks sometimes (probably because they forgot or something), if anything take that with caution. 

Deus Ex Star

It becomes a very innovative scenario that seems that is never going to be excelled ever gain and it ends up being one of the best mods ever with the most witty dialog of anti-humor. I recommend this to ANYONE who loves Deus Ex AS IT JUST AN AMAZING HOMAGE TO game and it’s style with its own feature of original new ideas. Who would of thought the best mod ever would be held with the best game ever? 

The Neverhood

The NeverHood

By: Danger Close Games

Year: 1996

Genre: Point and Click

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom

The Misadventures of P.B

By: The Odd Gentlemen

Year: 2010

Genre: Platformer, Puzzle

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




The Saboteur Editor's Choice

The Saboteur

By: Electronic Arts

Year: 2009

Genre: Sandbox, Third Person Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

At first I thought this was a pretty mediocre game but honestly when compared to many other games of its kind it possibly ending up being as the best. You control an Irish man that is also a racer and happens to swear a lot in a Nazi occupied location where you join a resistance and help them sabotage Nazi bases, outside of this a lot of plot between the character and the war happens as it’s pretty filled with plot.

This game is mostly known for its artistic situations such as the black and white and colorful places, which are lovely, the places with Nazis are black and white which need to be liberated which you need to buy bombs, use bombs on nazi property and so on until there is not one single nazi property left for you to explode in a zone. What’s good about this that many other games fail at, is that even though it seems like a chore (which it perfectly can be, it has MANY radars to tell you where to strike next. It’s a game that no matter how much you get mad it’s still helping you as much as you can. The platforming is what makes this game shine the most though, it is by far the best most speed paced platforming in a sandbox game, I feel more powerful than spiderman jumping from building to building nonstop as I can almost grab onto everything!   Of course the rest of the game mechanics are a bit more boring and hard to get into but they’re atleast enjoyable. It does seems to have a constant grind to it like I’ve mentioned before, for the fact that the game sometimes has TOO MUCH content and there is so much to unlock, it literally takes a while to end up to clear a simple path, but then again, it’s in the title what you’re supposed to be doing half of the time you’re in this game.  So I can‘t blame it.

The game can be a cluster at most times too considering it is really hard, it has regenerative health but there are simply moments where you are covered in so many Nazis but there are many ways of avoiding your enemies as this game is actually pretty complex with a lot of radars and modes to help you around, there are also hiding places.

It’s a great simulation for the France occupation during World War 2 but it’s also a HUGE Game that will give you a lot of time to destroy stuff and do side stuff. It is simply a game with a lot of concepts and effort and for that it’s amazing!


I think what goes best for The Saboteur is the fact that it doesn’t refrain itself for being a video game, it has no shame in showing its game elements while other video games might because of presentation lack more gameplay mechanics and so on.  

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5


                               


The Scourge Project: Episodes 1 and 2

The Scourge Project Episodes 1 and 2

By: Tragnarion Studios

Year: 2010

Genre: Third Person Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






The Sims 3

The Sims 3

By: Electronic Arts

Year: 2009

Genre: Simulator

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




The Skullkid

Skullkid

By: Korded

Year: 2002

Genre: Flash

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





The Stanley Parable

The Stanley Parable
The Stanley Parable HD

By: Galactic Cafe

Year: 2011/2013

Genre: Mod, Non-Theory, Role Playing Game eh?

Length: 3 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Art
Eye
Heart

Perhaps a commentary of the illusion of choice given in video games but mostly just a somewhat short sequence of funny experimental jokes which ended up being a game that is meant to be a joke? Considering I don’t want to spoil that much yet I can more or less atleast tell you that it’s about choice and how you play out a story being the protagonist while someone in your head is the narrator, that’s about it in concept really. I can compare in this review the mod to the remake, first of all the remake seems a bit less evil, which is actually kind of interesting when you compare it to Portal. Portal having the evil villain, and Portal 2 having the sad emotional villain, the same can be said here between the original mod and the remake, especially considering both use the same engine. The demo is a nice addition aswell, but I feel as if the demo ended up being funnier than The Stanley Parable itself, possibly because The Stanley Parable was bound to its rules to being strictly a dramatic story most of the times about how a narrator needs its protagonist while the demo is just freestyle humor, most people feel as if the remake was supposed to be as sequel with more content but it didn’t end up having that much content this time, yes there are more endings and like I’ve said they varied the personality of the characters but still for a game that tells itself to be the game that never ends it could have a bit of variety, but yes we cannot escape the fact that the game at some moments basically is lying to you about that by saying everything has been set out. There are atleast SOME amount of variety in the levels, as you go through the endings the levels will change and (strangely like many other indie games with secret endings) you get to find around 5 pieces after each ending of the game you find to unlock something. The ending is disappointing though, the game does warn you about that. Yatta yatta yatta, not much to talk about the game but it’s a game with cheap jokes… Let’s say in the style of British humor like… Look around you or Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which is a nice show I recommend while you are reading this review, I mean atleast a show would have more sketches than this game. The HD remake certainly has better graphics and is prettier to look at, without any doubt though.

If anything it’s been a certain progression on the current short non-theory games I’ve been playing this year, with actual entertainment features and maybe some actual commentary on video games.  A tad bit short, considering I feel as if the demo was expecting more to happen, in fact the demo was quite a nice addition as some consider it even better than The Stanley Parable.  If anything I recommend both if you want a cheap laugh and have the commitment. Why do I give this game an actual realistic review when in standards to other video games? Choice.

Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5




The Terminator: Future Shock

The Terminator Future Shock

By: Bethesda Softworks

Year: 1995

Genre: FPS

Length: 6 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

I have to say this is PRETTY impressive, for starters it’s seems as if it’s one of the first to use WASD which feels so comfortable for me, the gameplay is as smooth as it gets to games of this form, it also uses 3D rendered enemies which is pretty cool, especially the lazers they send to you pew pew. It is also impressive that it feels like an open world game of course from the geniuses that are Bethesda, it also has some elements of realism in which you can’t shoot your gun that close because it can hurt you amongst other actions which should take some space. Pretty much almost everything about this game is pretty impressive especially considering how it is so much of an upgrade compared to the rest of the series of pc fps games (this is the third one) which don’t even deserve to have a play through compared to this one. Each level you are briefed a mission with pretty good looking cutscenes. I guess it’s pretty realistic that most of the enemies are pretty hard too, it takes a lot of damage to kill one simple enemy so sometimes fleeing is better in combat, while of course you can find so many bombs to use against them which are just as common as ammo in this game. Everything is quite amazing and fun but the music is just so BORING compared to all of the guns you get while exploring, the boring music that is sometimes just straight out one annoying note for 15 seconds!

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

The huge maps, hard enemies and quite a lot of stuff to do will keep you entertained for quite a while. Truly this game gives me a shock of how futuristic it looks like. And yes, it’s probably the most easy to get in as an oldschool fps while not being one with the design of a classic one.


The Ur-Quan Masters

The Ur-Quan Masters

By: Toys for Bob

Year: 1992/2011

Genre: Sandbox, Shoot 'em Up

Length: 10 hours/400 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

The Ur-Quan Masters is a remake of a very classic PC game Star Control II, no, not the lame type of classic PC game where it barely has any substance and has the mentality of a sports game (Out though it is a very simple game outside of it's concepts now that I realize) I mean a PIONEER OF ADVENTURE! Really! It’s fascinating the effort this contains, it is a really huge game for its time! But, going back to the remake talk, it mostly takes content from the 3D0 Version. Essentially the game is about humanity being imprisoned by aliens in the future, humans find a ship that has vast travel technology and use it find a way of means to defeat the alien race that slaved them on Earth. With this ship you travel about discovering about the universe and the many alien species around, these aliens are taking part of a political war in which you can join in and make truces or enemies. Basically, you're going around space socializing with the most interesting well written aliens for favors to help you out for the freedom of humanity and also exploring random planets for minerals to aid you in ship upgrades. 

Sad news is with all of this interesting features, there's a chance you'll never be able to beat the game for the fact that it is: Convoluted and Unfair, Convoluted because there's not a single straight hint on where to go, and before you know it you realize the entire game is on a timer (YEESH), unfair because literally any single random encounter could be your end as ship combat is pretty minimal and not all that good.


Shinaz Star Rating 4 out of 5

As much as I appreciate the entire concept and simplicity of this game which is, find planets, take their minerals and get into very accessible one on one ship fights, these are all hard things to do. Unquan Masters will be known as very quirky and fun but will also be known as outdated due to difficulty, many games after it will implement its amazing concepts and I’m pretty sure with more elements added in too. It's a pity it's so hard to control and get into due to taking hours to do a single travel because it has one of the best comedy dialog out there written.

The Void

The Void

By: Ice-Pick Lodge

Year: 2009

Genre: Non-Theory

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




The Wolf Among Us

The Wolf Among Us

By: Telltale Games

Year: 2013

Genre: Point and Click

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





They Came From My Inbox

They Came From My Inbox

By: Nathalie Lawhead

Year: 2008

Genre: Non-Theory, Flash, Mini-games

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






They Hunger

They Hunger

By: Black Widow Games

Year: 1999

Genre: FPS, Mod

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Thirty Flights of Loving

Thirty Flights of Loving

By: Blendo Games

Year: 2012

Genre: FPS

Length: 30 minutes

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Art

More or less a sequel of Bone Gravity, except honestly I thought it was more linear ironically considering one of the main elements to the game is it’s totally uncontrollable random lineage of the plot, where sometimes it shows what happens in between and sometimes show what happens in the ending! First of all, Bone Gravity had somewhat more of an interaction with the game considering it had missions and tasks when Thirty Flights of Loving is simply go to point A, then go to point B. The presentation is atleast really fun to watch, for what it’s worth. For my luck not only being a short game I can hardly comment on, I would be really sad to spoil those who would really enjoy the experience of the game. What’s good about the game is a fact that it comes also with Bone Gravity included as a bonus, but sadly Bone Gravity doesn’t have as much options as Thirty Flights of loving does. The music is really great too, similar to the action jazzy music of Bone Gravity but this time it’s originally composed for the sake of this game!

The game was a pretty stylish and overall a great experience, the addition of it being also with Bone Gravity is also great, but I feel as if the game could be a little cheaper and maybe have more interactive moments other than being just again some zanny art game. Absolutely on this side of art game instead of the OTHER ones of course! 

Shinaz Star Rating 3 out of 5



  


Time Commando

Time Commando

By: Adeline Software International

Year: 1996

Genre: Beat 'Em Up

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory

By: Ubisoft Montreal

Year: 2005

Genre: Stealth

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger / 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger





Tomb Raider 3

Tomb Raider 3

By: Ubisoft Montreal

Year: 1998

Genre: 3D Platformer, Puzzle, Third Person Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Too Many Crates!

Too Many Crates!

By: Awesome Possum

Year: 2009

Genre: Mod, Puzzle

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger



Toribash

Toribash

By: Awesome Possum

Year: 2006

Genre: MMORPG, Fighter, Simulator

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger / 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger






Torus Trooper

Torus Trooper

By: Nabi Studios

Year: 2005

Genre: Freeware, Shoot 'Em Up

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






To The Moon

To The Moon

By: Freebird Games

Year: 2011

Genre: Point and Click

Length: 5 hours

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

{C}But we always succeed, because we're awesome. When i started to play this game i was expecting a lame RPG maker game done by some 12 year old who know nothing about making good video games... Ho Ho! Boy was I wrong! Out though allot of people call it a RPG it is obviously not a RPG but looks like one, it is actually a amazing and brilliant Point And Click game (or keyboard game considering you can use the keyboard instead hehehe). The plot is that you're a duo of doctors which work for a futuristic company which erase memories from dying people and replace them with false memories as a last wish with a machine similar to movies like "Paprika" or "Inception" and obviously "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". Your case this time is Johnny, an old dying man who lives on a top of a hill close to a Lighthouse inside a mansion. That mansion is being taken care of by a woman and her daughter and son hired by Johnny, so the old man dying isn't alone inside the Mansion. As soon as you go inside the mind of Johnny you discover that he forgot the reason of his wish, so you have SLOWLY progress deeply inside his romantic and dramatic memories of the past to discover exactly why he wants that wish. The game simply has this MYSTERY charm that makes you want to keep on playing just to discover how the character's past is and I simply love that element this game delivers. The graphics in the game are very interesting, it's a blend of great very detailed 16-bit art with some blur and bloom special effects which ARE really good looking (As in of some way that it combines today's graphics with older graphics). At first I thought the music was unnecessary in the Video Game, as in i thought it would be better if they just simply put on some ATSMOPHERIC sounds instead (which is kind of sad I feel that the atmosphere sounds in this game where sort of badly edited) but later it grown on me and I got to think that it was simply beautiful. The music in this game was specially composed by a great pianist called Laura Shigihara, her music really gives a emotional feeling to the game, ESPECIALLY THE THEME song which includes excellent vocals.

To the Moon for me was a great experience, full of original ideas, lots of emotion and memorable moments. I like to compare To The Moon to a nice and well written book, and if it was a book I would be one of those reviewers that would simply put those cheesy phrases "You'll laugh, you'll cry"

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

Tower Of Heaven

Tower Of Heaven

By: Flashygoodness

Year: 2010

Genre: Flash, Platformer

Length: 1 hour

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

Note

Thou shall not walk left. Tower of Heaven is pretty much a very challenging and simple platform where your mission is getting to the top of the Tower of Heaven, but that's not the only thing about it. You play as a shadow pumpking head creature that is suppose to be just "You" so no special main character here, as soon as you enter the tower a voice in the deepness warns you about the dangers inside the tower. As you proceed this voice will give you special rules that will be a bit of a challenge, rules such as "Don't touch the sides of blocks" or "Don't walk left" to toy with you and hopes that you fail and these will make your experience with the game harder and harder as you progress. The graphics in this game are a big tribute to old gameboy games, and you just gotta simply love the 8-bit yellowish brown, light green and dark green which give a extra tone to this game. The music? It's perfect. Just... Perfect. Flashygoodness did one of the best works of music just inside this game and it was GREAT. It is seriously one of the best examples of good chiptune music for me, it really gives a feel of adventure during the entire game and it is so catchy it will be playing inside your head for YEARS (It's been 2 years so far since i've played this game).

If you're looking for a challenge and great soundtrack play this masterpiece of a game.

Shinaz Star Rating 5 out of 5

Trickster Online

Trickster Online

By: Ntreev Soft

Year: 2006

Genre: MMORPG

Length: 

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+

Well apparently with the closing down of its English speaking server this is pretty much where I draw the line to review this game, Trickster Online is pretty much one of those regular MMORPGS where you point and click but from all of the millions and millions of bad games that fall into this genre I’m proud I choose this one to be mine. At first glance it is basically considered a game mostly inspired by Ragnarok except Ragnarok isn’t as fun and that’s saying allot considering this game still falls under some issues with being FUN all the time. It had a gaming idea that was pretty much similar to the same way that made Diablo II a fun game, in trickster one of the main concepts is using a drill that you can randomly dig for rare items similar to Diablo II chance of winning unique and interesting items but more randomly and ARROGATING. Visuals are really good, everything looks pretty and blooming in a way and I find it to be one of the MMORPGs with amazing visuals in a while, its style is a bit on the cheesy side considering it tends to be too cute but in general pixel animation is really sweet and swell. Something I should talk about is more or less the limitation of this game, it is pretty big! It seems as if updating the game each day added allot of employees to keep working over and over again just to add a simple thing.  When I meant limit I meant with how much this game goes IN GENERAL, the level capacity is 400, there are many many stats and ways to upgrade your character, a couple of classes with many many magic spells they can learn and quite allot of mini games you can play in between the entire game.

...I actually do feel bad for Trickster. Trickster is lost potential at its finest. At heart all Trickster is, is a typical Diablo clone MMORPG, possibly a rip off of a rip off, that rip off being of Ragnarok! Either way everytime I play this game I remind myself why I stopped playing it: Good concepts, bad delivery. This game could be so good and it has so much interesting effort in it. Like… It’s animations are great, it has great systems that aren’t too complex BUT STILL PRESENT VARIAITY, mini-games, HOUSES, cute artsyle, great music and most importantly DIGGING.  This game features drills that let you dig anywhere you please (well except cement realistically) and this lets you find loot depending on your chances vitiating the game for inputs and stuff.  It's just do 5 missions and do 5 times each. In a way with the future seasons they removed the idea of normal progression and made the game dull from the start. So the recent versions are completely unplayable. I could take this as a way to explain why MMORPGs in general are designed possibly the worst way. 

Shinaz Star Rating 2 out of 5

 



It's not a good experience. And... Sometimes it'll trick you...                                                   

Trilby's Notes

Trilby's Notes

{C}By: Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw

Year: 2006

Genre: Freeware,  Point and Click

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger








Trilby: The Art of Theft

Trilby The Art of Theft

{C}By: Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw

Year: 2007

Genre: Freeware, Platformer

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger



Trine 2

By: Frozenbyte

Year: 2011

Genre: Platformer, Puzzle

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger/'''''1 Player Shinaz Larger'''''1 Player Shinaz Larger

1 Player Shinaz Larger


I’m not usually sitted well through the whole european western fantasy settings but honestly when it's all sparkly and tends to be on the side more of a childs book it's like something really good like a memorable fairy tale. The game isn't as basic as it might seem (a platformer with physic puzzles) because there are indeed rpg upgrades strangely in a game that doesn't seem to need them. The humor in the game is very well made out though a bit little weak and simple, nothing too complex other than breaking the boundaries of basic western fantasy thought by the characters being more casual or referencing something of technology out of their reach. The game is absolutely cute and charming either way! Puzzles are always easy peasy considering there may be multiple ways to complete them but it seems making boxes ends up being the easiest solution of them all but they are satisfying never the less.



Turma da Monica Quadrinhos

Turma da Monica Quadrinhos

By: Melhoramentos

Year: 1996

Genre: Workstation

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger








Tropico 3

Tropico 3

By: Haemimont Games

Year: 2009

Genre: Simulator

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Unholy Heights

Unholy Heights

By: Petit Depotto

Year: 2013

Genre: Casual, Simulator

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger


As simple as this game is it's one of those games that make me happy everytime I play it, each struggle feels excellent, the dialog is hilarious and funny making the game not feel empty and all around it's a cute and fun experience. 


Unreal

Unreal

By: Epic Games

Year: 1998

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Unreal Tournament

Unreal Tornament

By: Epic Games

Year: 1999

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger1 Player Shinaz Larger+






Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines

Vampire The Masquerade – Bloodlines

By: Troika Games

Year: 2004

Genre: FPS, RPG

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






VVVVVV

VVVVVV

{C}By: Terry Cavanagh

Year: 2004

Genre: Platformer

Length: Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War

Dawn of War

By: THQ

Year: 2004

Genre: RTS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Warning Forever

Warning Forever

By: Hikware

Year: 2004

Genre: RTS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger






Where is the Button for Love?

Where is the Button for Love

By: Molyjam

Year: 2013

Genre: Freeware, Non-Theory

Length: Short, Until you get bored.

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger



Wolfenstein 3D

Wolfenstein

By: id Software

Year: 1992

Genre: FPS

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




World of Goo

World of Goo

By: 2D Boy

Year: 2008

Genre: Puzzle

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Worms Armageddon

Worms Armageddon

By: Team17

Year: 1999

Genre: Artillery game

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Worms Reloaded

Worms Reloaded

By: Team17

Year: 2010

Genre: Artillery game

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger




Worms World Party

Worms World Party

By: Team17

Year: 2001

Genre: Artillery game

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Yume Nikki

Yume Nikki

By: Kikiyama

Year: 2005

Genre: Non-Theory

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger





Zeno Clash

Zeno Clash

By: ACE Team

Year: 2009

Genre: Beat 'Em Up, FPS

Length:

Players: '''''1 Player Shinaz Larger





Zombie Driver

Zombie Driver

By: Exor Studios

Year: 2009

Genre: Isometric Shooter

Length:

Players: 1 Player Shinaz Larger

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