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Metareview -- Alone in the Dark ... Inferno! (PS3)
Not even leaving the PS3 version of Alone in the Dark on broil for several months was enough to bake out all of the problems maligning Atari's Central Park adventure. While so far the game has escaped the bulk of scathing reviews enjoyed by its Xbox 360 and PC cousins, the re-dubbed Alone in the Dark: Inferno still left many reviewers lukewarm with tepid gameplay resting beneath the title's extra-crispy exterior. 1UP (B-): "Alone in the Dark still has problems; all the technical fixes in the world can't make up for the dopey plot, unsatisfying endings, and the ridiculous reliance on fire to kill virtually all of the game's enemies, and the new PS3 sequence basically amounts to a bonus boss encounter that isn't enough to draw in anyone who's already played the game." Game Informer (73/100): "Unfortunately, the clumsy story remains the same and I still came across the occasional glitch. But make no mistake, Inferno is the definitive version of Alone in the Dark." Eurogamer (70/100): "It's easier to forgive the problems that remain, but you still have to accept that you'll be thrown in the deep end a lot, and that a layer of polish is still absent." Play UK (70/100): "Once you end up burning Lucifer's roots in Central Park there is still the problem of the whole thing just being not very good."
Metareview -- Ninjatown (DS)
We have a tendency to miss metareviewing portable games, especially when they're caught up in the mad flood of holiday releases. But Ninjatown has been getting such good scores we figured it deserved its moment in the sun, especially since you'll be able to pick it up for $15 on Friday. ... And yes, OK, it's kind of a slow news day. So sue us. GameShark (91/100): "Ninjatown has 'sleeper hit' written all over it. It certainly looks innocent enough on the outside – it's cute and goofy, and oozes sugary sweetness, as it's actually based on a stuffed toy line (the Shawnimals, created by ex game journo Shawn Smith). But underneath that fluffy exterior is a seriously addictive tower defense game that is as hardcore as it is adorable." Game Informer (90/100): "Don't let the cutie-pie exterior fool you - Ninjatown is a gamer's game through and through. The units in this tower-defense title are versatile and useful, enemies are diverse and deadly, and there are enough power-ups and options to keep things fresh. Best of all, levels don't seem to have a preset way to beat them, unlike many tower-defense games on the market." 1UP (B+): "Ninjatown's layered in a coating of sickly sweetness that no amount of scrubbing will ever get out of your DS slot, but this obviously wasn't a game rushed out just to peddle Shawnimals merchandise. If you can get past the saccharine coating of the Ninjatown world, you'll find a surprisingly good tower defense?style filling hidden inside the hard candy shell." GameDaily (80/100): "Once you're done admiring the charming and colorful artwork that encompasses the Ninjatown box, you'll soon realize there's a deep, addictive and challenging game for your DS inside. Ninjatown takes the fast-thinking, reactionary gameplay of tower defense and combines it with simple real-time strategy elements, creating one of the more compelling and unique games in recent memory."
Metareview - The Last Remnant (Xbox 360)
Well, so much for that fancy "platinum" score from Famitsu. Western critics have passed judgment on role-playing epic The Last Remnant, deeming it an intriguing turn-based affair that's unfortunately mired in plodding pacing and abundant technical issues. Did nobody think to send Square Enix the Unreal Engine's instruction manual? Gametrailers (80/100): "The Last Remnant is a hard game to judge. A person's enjoyment of it will be directly related to how much they can tolerate persistent graphical issues. If you can get past it, there's a lot to enjoy in the smart design decisions and its unique battle system." Gamespot (65/100): "How unfortunate that such a renowned RPG developer has buried a potential classic under a humiliating technical fiasco." Eurogamer (60/100): "It's a unique and compelling combat system buried beneath choppy pacing, too much wandering around, disappointing presentation problems and an awful lot of loading, and whether that's worth accepting depends largely on your tolerance or affection for long-winded self-indulgence, and whether you think 40 quid is a reasonable amount to pay for one superb idea cushioned by hours of grinding mediocrity." IGN (53/100): "The Last Remnant is a technical mess, but it's also behind the curve in so many ways."
Metareview - Chrono Trigger (DS)
Between traveling and "quality family time," many Americans are being torn away from their beloved consoles due to the Thanksgiving holiday. So, before hitting the road, it might be worth picking up the well-reviewed DS remake of Chrono Trigger, one of the best RPGs of the 16-bit era (or ever, according to what company you keep). Although the reviews are clearly written from the standpoint of a 20- or 30-something with memories of playing the original on the SNES or PlayStation, they seem to agree that the game has held up over time. GamesRadar (100/100) "If you've never played Chrono Trigger, you owe it to yourself to finally give this gaming touchstone a whirl. And if you have played it before, you can play it again, for no other reason than to see how new it all still feels. We would normally hesitate to give any rerelease such a high score, but this is the ultimate edition of a true classic." 1UP (95/100): "For fans, the reason to pick up Chrono Trigger is simply because it's available, intact, and enhanced. For newcomers, it's because the game has easily withstood the test of time." Game Informer (95/100): "It's a true classic, and playing it should be a government-mandated rite of passage for any role-playing fan." IGN (88/100): "If you've never played Chrono Trigger before, buy this game. If you're a die-hard fan and want to support one of the greatest games of all time, buy this game. If you're having trouble validating a $40 purchase for what is ultimately the same game, it's the wrong choice for you, and your cash is better spent elsewhere." GameSpot (85/100): "Chrono Trigger is a fantastic synthesis of excellent storytelling, game design, music, and gameplay that has withstood the test of time and should be considered required playing for any fan of role-playing games. Though its extra content is hit or miss and it's essentially a direct port of a game released 13 years ago, the DS version is easily the definitive edition of this masterpiece,"
Metareview -- Castlevania Judgment (Wii)
Nobody seems to have been whipped into a frenzy by Konami's recent stab at a Castlevania fighting game. A small group of reviewers has finally passed judgment on the Wii-only release, and, by-and-large, the consensus is a resounding groan – and it's not coming from Frankenstein's monster. IGN (75/100): "In the list of games I'm dying to play in the Castlevania series, a 3D fighter was about as far from the top as possible, but Judgment was a pleasant surprise." G4 X-Play (20/100): "The soundtrack is the only thing in Castlevania Judgment that does proper homage to the series." 1UP (D-): "As a fighter, Castlevania Judgment employs too many design ideas that are neither well planned nor well executed. It's a strange misstep for the beloved series, one that Konami hopefully learns from."
Metareview -- Tomb Raider: Underworld (Multi)
The reviews are in, and it looks like Ms. Croft has avoided jumping the shark – although she does shoot one in Tomb Raider: Underworld. Still, the game fared slightly worse than Tomb Raider: Legend at the hands of some of the very same media outlets. (Maybe they were experiencing a mild "Tomb Raider's back, and it doesn't suck anymore!" high back then?) IGN (75/100): "Only the upcoming downloadable content and achievement points make the 360 version stand out just ahead of the PS3 copy." 1UP (B): "Underworld is an incredibly abrupt experience, so much so that it makes me question whether content was removed from the complete game to be made available later as the previously announced downloadable content. Six levels in (seven if you count the prologue), the game just...ends. Sure, the last level is a cool showpiece, but it lacks any sense of built-up narrative and even a final boss – simply a closing cut-scene that wraps up most of the loose ends all too handily." Eurogamer (70/100): "At its worst, Tomb Raider: Underworld is everything that's wrong with videogames – clichéd, predictable, frustrating, inconsistent, repetitive and derivative. Legend was supposed to be the game that marked the series' return to form, and it achieved that. Underworld is better than Legend; meatier, more challenging, more atmospheric and with less silly nonsense like quick-time events. But Underworld was supposed to be the first real next-gen Tomb Raider game, and it isn't ... At its best, however, Tomb Raider: Underworld is everything that's great about videogames. It's beautiful, exciting, challenging, rewarding and absorbing. Many of the locations are stunning, and so's Lara." GamePro (70/100): "Overall, Underworld is a decent enough effort. It has slick controls, interesting puzzles and a story that's actually pretty interesting. However, it never fully compensates for a lack of compelling action and overall polish."
Metareview -- Need For Speed: Undercover (Multi)
Curse you, Need for Speed Undercover! Curse you for getting our hopes up with Maggie Q-laden FMV sequences and tales of being inspired by our lord and savior the Transporter (hallowed be his name). Curse you for having the most promise of any NFS in recent memory but still letting us down. Game Informer (70/100): "Part of the problem with Undercover is that it has no clear focus. After taking a detour with NFS: ProStreet, EA seems content to return to the pre-ProStreet era like it never happened. While this may not be a bad thing, Undercover refuses to move the needle forward from 2006's NFS: Carbon, and in some ways is a step back." 1UP (B): "In many ways, Need for Speed: Undercover is like a 'greatest hits' package of ideas and concepts that we've seen the franchise play around with since Need for Speed: Underground turned the series on its head five years ago. Undercover revels in street culture, much like both of the Underground games, while putting a greater emphasis on cops and car chases like Need for Speed: Most Wanted." GamePlayer (65/100): "There's no getting around the fact, however, that Undercover is basically Most Wanted with a new lick of paint. Can somebody please green-light Hot Pursuit 3? Surely the open-world horse has been well-and-truly flogged?" IGN (50/100): "Need for Speed Undercover is a poor game with a ton of problems, both technically and in terms of design. The open world design is completely lost as you can't actually drive to any event, many races are closed off which means no cross traffic, and it's incredibly easy. The presentation could have been good but winds up feeling totally contrived and confusing at times."
Metareview -- Left 4 Dead (360)
If you're like us, you've been spending an embarrassing amount of this crowded fall season playing the Left 4 Dead demo over and over again. You know, like a toddler surrounded by gifts and who only wants to play with a box (if that box was undead and craved brains). Thankfully, it seems that the whole pie lives up to the sliver we've gotten. OXM (95/100): "Come to think of it, with a handful of levels and unpredictable events happening within them, Left 4 Dead has more in common with Ms. Pac-Man than just the eating. It's the same thing over and over - but when simple ingredients are perfectly prepared, what could be a mere snack becomes a feast. This one just happens to be on human flesh." IGN (90/100): "Left 4 Dead is also a completely different kind of game, and it feels as much of an experiment as it does an amazing gameplay experience. Valve has moved against convention and delivered a game that is built almost entirely around cooperative multiplayer action. This is a game that comes to life when you play with at least one other human player, and it's even better if there are four humans in each game." GameSpy (90/100): "One need only look at Left 4 Dead for proof that the gaming landscape is fundamentally changing. This is a game that was obviously envisioned from the very beginning as a co-op experience, even modeling its single-player campaign to mirror that approach. The inventive and highly entertaining competitive multiplayer mode just adds to the experience, and we're looking forward to seeing what Valve's got planned for the game's future."
Metareview -- Mirror's Edge (PS3, Xbox 360)
Mirror's Edge may not be perfect, but it's getting bonus points for trying something different and attempting to evolve the very exclusive genre of first-person platformers (Metroid Prime previously being the go-to example). Within the 'stiq network, PS3 Fanboy gave the game an 8/10 and Joystiq has posted its non-numerical verdict. As for platform purchase choice, the PS3 is expected to receive some "exclusive" content, which has yet to be revealed, but beyond that it's a controller preference issue. The game uses both rows of shoulder buttons constantly during gameplay, so having a big button on top is nice on the Sixaxis or DualShock 3, but some may prefer the trigger of the 360 controller. If you're versatile, the whole issue of top or bottom won't matter. CVG (90/100): "Not your average gaming experience - Mirror's Edge takes the FPS format and flips it on its head. A brilliant and unique experience, even if the small shooting parts aren't quite up to scratch." GameSpy (80/100): "The combat's unfortunately its Achilles' heel, since it lacks the spontaneity of the free-running and in many instances brings the action to a crashing halt. Thankfully, after you've beaten the game, the time trials and speed runs reward you for avoiding violent confrontation and emphasize the exhilarating rush of zipping through each gorgeous stage." EuroGamer (80/100): "There's something broken thematically, deep within Mirror's Edge: it tells you a rambling story about freedom even as it confines you to the tight squares of its own personal hopscotch court, and for many that will be one wrong-footing too many. But for those who can shrug off the contradictions and the limitations, ignore the tearing cityscape and lingering qualms about value for money, this will shove you so deeply into the experience of being in someone else's body, and taking it on a terrifying, breakneck joyride, that nothing else will matter." IGN (73/100): "Mirror's Edge is a classic example of some awesome ideas that just didn't pan out the way that was originally intended. The list of moves could be more expansive -- maybe by adding a fourth button to the mix -- and the world feels entirely too constricting for what could be a huge open city. ... I truly hope that a sequel is spawned, but this first attempt falls just a bit short." GameSpot (70/100): "If you can overlook the array of quirks long enough to find your stride, you'll want to check out the beat-your-record races and level speedruns. ... The single-player story is simply a practice run for being a virtual show-off, yet the players repeating these levels, because they'll learn them to perfection, are also the ones likely to see Mirror's Edge at its most thrilling."
Metareview -- Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (360)
We were admittedly cynical about Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts before we actually got our hands on it at E3, when we fell and fell hard. It seems like most reviewers are having the same response, even though some are pining for the simpler days of Banjo. 1UP (A-): "To all the Rare-haters out there: Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (the latest in a series that's scarcely been heard from since the Nintendo 64 days, barring a pair of Game Boy Advance spin-offs) puts the ailing developer on the road back to relevancy. Nuts & Bolts' single-player structure, addictive multiplayer, and intricate vehicle-crafting system handily show that this isn't just another generic cute-n-furry platformer." IGN (83/100): "A game that never stopped being fun for me. It's an odd duck that doesn't fit into any conventional game genres and probably isn't right for everybody. Despite its friendly appearance, Nuts & Bolts isn't exactly easy to pick up and play and might be over the head of some small children. There's a lot of depth here and the vehicle creation tools allow you to flex your mind and your fingers at the same time. " Eurogamer (70/100): "Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts is not a platform game. The game it has become instead demands thoughtful, exciting challenges that inspire the player to pitch in and help get the most out of each level, but it fails to provide them, and even though it's worth persevering with for the occasional hurdles race, egg-and-spoon and a game-world in aptly Rare form, ultimately it's a brilliant shell with a mostly hollow centre. "
Metareview -- Resistance 2
There are plenty of games going up against Resistance 2 for top honors this week (including, of course, Marcus Fenix and Co.), but if the early reviews are any indication, they might have a tough time toppling Nathan Hale's battle against the Chimera, at least from a critical point of view. IGN (95/100): "Resistance 2 is one of those games that manages to expand on its predecessor in every way. The single player is epic in scope and in story, which is practically worth the price of admission by itself." Gameplayers (90/100):"Resistance 2 is certainly good value for money. If you're online, you'll get a year's worth of gaming out of it no worries at all, while there is enough there to offer single players solid entertainment too. There's nothing particularly elegant or genius about the way the game has been developed: it is just a straight-up action shooter that hangs its hopes on a cool story idea and a wicked arsenal." 1UP (B+): "Overall, Resistance 2 is an extremely well-assembled FPS, with an improved campaign, fun competitive multiplayer, and a damn neat take on co-op. I wouldn't go as far as to say this is the definitive PS3 game, but it's certainly one of the best PS3 exclusives I've played.
Metareview -- Wii Music
We haven't had a lot of nice things to say about Wii Music, largely because, to this point, it's brought nothing but sadness into our lives. First there was Ravi Drums, then it made us watch Shiggy play the saxafaux, then there was that absolutely bizarre track list. Now, some major review hubs are weighing in on the game(?) and we're just as perplexed as ever. 1UP (A-): "Wii Music may have a hard time winning over the skeptics who just want to laugh at it, but give the game the chance it deserves. You just might realize it's pretty damn fun being in on the joke." Kombo (50/100): "Initially, there's an element of novelty to Wii Music. Admittedly, it's kind of fun to motion the controller as if you're playing a real instrument -- especially when playing with something like a violin, which simply feels good to play in the game -- but the enjoyment quickly dissipates." Gamespy (70/100): "Now that we've spent a good deal of time with Wii Music ourselves, we're confident in saying the following: If you have young children, buy this game and enjoy it with them. ... However, it's very safe to say that gamers who prefer the likes of Rock Band, first-person shooters and Solid Snake's espionage antics will not care about Wii Music in the slightest." GamePro (70/100): "Playing almost any instrument in the game requires a bit more practice than say, swinging a bat bowling a ball in Wii Sports, which mires the game in a muddy territory between pick-up-and-play casual and memorizing and practicing hardcore. When you're able to successfully balance the two and create wonderful music, Wii Music can provide an experience you've never felt before. Not in a music game, not in any other Wii game."
Metareview -- Fable 2
We don't know if it was Microsoft's leash on designer Peter Molyneux or if Lionhead Studios finally focused its talent after a decade in existence, but Fable II apparently delivers a solid, enchanting action-RPG experience. X3F has a glowing non-numerical review covering many of the game's big picture concepts without getting into nitty-gritty (possibly spoiler) territory. Our great take away from reading other site's reviews is that Peter Molyneux was apparently spot on when he gave the game a "9 out of 10," saying it's the "best, most complete game" he's done. Eurogamer (100/100): "Inclusive and often thought-provoking, this is a daring portrait of a game-world with all the failure cut out, and it's hard not to love a game that loves you so much in return. Fable II will charm you, thrill you, and leave you very, very happy." CVG (92/100): "It's still not the revolutionary piece of software Mr. M lauded it to be, but Fable II finally sees Lionhead's original concept realised, and all round it's clearly the developer's best game to date. Well done Peter, you finally did it." GameSpy (90/100): "Fable II presents you with difficult, meaningful decisions that shape the development of the world around you. You'll experience life from a young age and see your character grow up to become a powerful force in Albion. Whether or not you become a force for good or for evil is completely up to you. We thoroughly enjoyed Fable II, and heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good role-playing game" IGN (88/100): "The past four years were well spent by Lionhead. Fable II has a great combat system, some excellent atmosphere, a smart experience system, and lots to do. It's only when you start exploring the social aspects that things take a downturn. The expressions system is too goofy for the more serious tone of Fable II and almost every interaction feels artificial. The sandbox elements aren't nearly as enjoyable as the adventure aspects." Gamespot (85/100): "It's hard not to get sucked into Fable II. The world is so charming and your choices so profound, that it's easy to look past the game's shortcomings. The punishment for death is pointless and the story carries little weight, but the experience is still immensely rewarding. ... Your emotional attachment to your virtual dog will be real, making you reliant upon his companionship as you trek through these lands. In a game about choices, the wisest one you can make is to play the game."
Metareview -- Golden Axe Beast Rider (360, PS3)
Normally, we avoid metareviews of games that have been universally maligned because, well, who cares about them? But reader Joseph P. pointed us to a review this morning that made us reconsider our position on Golden Axe: Beast Rider. Let's see if you can figure out which one it is. Eurogamer (30/100): "Castle Crashers has already shown that there's a market for well-produced 2D hackandslash, but instead we get this utterly charmless and shamelessly derivative 3D shrug of a game. SEGA might as well have released this as The Adventures of Fiery Boob Lady, and left their mothballed franchise with at least modicum of dignity." IGN (32/100): "If had to sum up my feelings for Golden Axe: Beast Rider in five words or less, I'd actually do it in one: hatred. The game is so ridden with poor production values that there's absolutely nothing redeeming about the game, and its checklist of annoying issues will drive all but the already-insane crazy long before it ends." GamePro (40/100): "Fans hoping for a worthwhile update to one of gaming's most revered hack-and-slash franchises will be sorely disappointed by this poorly designed and utterly mediocre title." Play (90/100): "I could write another page on things I love about Beast Rider, like how bloody cool it looks when Tyris slices a body in two or hacks off an arm, subtle homages like scampering gnomes and thorny spikes, the naked body parts that Death Adder's minions use for decoration, how the game runs like a dream on PS3, and how awesome it is that the single-player experience wasn't compromised to add some bogus online crapola, but I think my work here is done." You read that right: A 9 out of 10. How could something like this have happened, you ask? Well, in this missive, reviewer Dave Halverson theorizes that most reviewers didn't even finish the game. We haven't played it ourselves and with Halverson listing "the lack of a multiplayer mode" among the things he loves about Beast Rider, we don't know who to trust. Have any of you given it a shot?
Metareview - Max Payne (the movie)
We're big fans of Mark Wahlberg, despite his apparent lack of a sense of humor and his oftentimes horrible body of work. We're also big fans of Rockstar's bullet-time infused noir-fest, Max Payne. We also have a minor crush on the button cute Mila Kunis. We're also of the firm opinion that Ludacris is the greatest musician of our generation. Therefore, on paper, it would seem as though the new Max Payne flick would be the Citizen Kane of video game adaptations. On celluloid, however, the film apparently falls flat -- as these early reviews indicate. Peter Travers - Rolling Stone: "Max Payne is a dank, dispiriting cop flick that merely requires Wahlberg to wear a scowl that could have been painted on digitally with more expressiveness." Kyle Smith - New York Post: "This movie also has Blade Runner on its mind, and Raymond Chandler, but mostly it's a weak little sister to Sin City." James Berardinelli - ReelViews: "Maybe fans of the game will be okay with the cinematic adaptation but for those who are new to Max and his world, this isn't an impressive introduction." John Anderson - Newsday: "Mark Wahlberg, who has proved himself a very capable actor ("The Departed"), seems to have nominated himself for the Russell Crowe Lack of Charisma Award, and is running a pretty convincing campaign." Claudia Puig - USA Today: "Max Payne couldn't be more appropriately named. Sitting through this stylish-looking but derivative, vacuous and bullet-riddled movie inflicts maximum pain."
Metareview: LittleBigPlanet
Over a dozen reviews have popped up online, and it looks like LittleBigPlanet is on track to be the PlayStation 3's best-reviewed first-party title -- despite some well-strung criticisms. In fact, according to Metacritic's data, it's the only game in the PS3's Top 5 that doesn't have a "4" in the title (in order: GTA IV, Call of Duty 4, Metal Gear Solid 4 and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion). Of course, glowing reviews don't ensure the game will translate into ca-ching, but it's a great indication that we'll be seeing plenty of LittleBigPenis levels for years to come. PlayStation Official Magazine UK (100/100): "There simply isn't anything else like LBP on any system, anywhere. It's a beautifully elegant and powerful creative tool that puts unlimited potential in the palm of your hand." CVG (96/100): "You'll look for inspiration for levels, mechanical dilemmas or puzzles in every corner of your life. And in your sleep. It will take over your conversations with fellow players. You will become obsessed. You have been warned." IGN (95/100): "Media Molecule has created a brilliant platformer, and then given you the tools to recreate the whole thing over again, or better yet, to create your own ideas from scratch. It's not perfect - the controls could be tighter, automatically shifting between planes can be problematic, the editor isn't quite as robust as you might hope - but what's there is nothing short of astounding." Eurogamer (90/100): "The promise that anyone could create something simple and fun and personal with LittleBigPlanet hasn't come true. In a way, it's the opposite of Spore, which makes it easy and fun for every single player to have creative input, but doesn't let any of them change the fabric of the game. LittleBigPlanet lets them run wild, with unprecedented results, but it locks the majority out of the creative process, because it's time-consuming and simply not very enjoyable." Also be sure to check out the nega-review!
Metareview: Dead Space (Xbox 360, PS3)
There're a few points of variation between the very highest and the very lowest scores, but the consensus on Dead Space seems to be this: You're in for a real treat. (That's with the exception of Eurogamer, which gave the game a 70, a full 13 points lower than the next lowest score.) If you require a bit more specificity (and we imagine you do), we've got a sampling of the reviews just below. GamePro (100/100): "It's easily the best survival horror game since the masterful Resident Evil 4 and it sets the bar high for graphics, sound, and scares in its respective genre. Dead Space is an artistic nightmare clearly designed for survival horror fans by a passionate and dedicated team of like-minded gamers. Just be sure to play it with the lights on..." Gamespot (90/100): "Dead Space is a remarkable game from a well-tread genre that manages to stand out from its competitors in almost every way, from visual presentation to engaging story, innovative combat mechanics to fright factor. Whether you're looking for a terrifying horror experience or a deeply story-driven adventure that will keep you engaged for 15-20 hours, Dead Space is a fantastic game that you should not pass on." 1UP (B+): "Apart from the lack of variety within them, the characters and environments are some of the best looking on the market, with blood splatters and rusted metals all over the place." IGN (87/100):"Call it science fiction survival horror, but Dead Space does the genre proud with an engaging story; action that's tense, fast-paced and extremely violent; as well as atmospheric qualities that will get under your skin and make you jump. It may be a newcomer, but the seeds of an incredible franchise have been sown, and EA's in a great position to reap a phenomenal franchise full of scares."
Metareview -- Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway has been quite a long road but, if the reviews are any indication, it's been a worthwhile one. The critiques aren't without complaint by any means, but they're are all consistently solid, always a good sign in our metareviewing experience. Official Xbox Magazine (90/100): "Raw, frenzied action and deep thoughts about the nature of leadership don't seem like natural bedfellows, but in Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway, they join forces to deliver both gripping drama and riveting gameplay. Like the heroes it portrays, the game itself is an imperfect experience, but its better qualities are so compelling that surrender won't be an option." VideoGamer (80/100): "Bar the jarring Action Camera, there's not a lot wrong with Hell's Highway. Rather, there's a lot good with it. It's an intelligent game made by adults for adults. It'll have a hard time going up against Treyarch's Call of Duty: World at War this Christmas, of course. But, like Sergeant Baker himself, it's going to put up a damn good fight." Game Informer (78/100): "Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway is a competent tactical shooter blessed with a dedication to narrative rarely seen in shooters. If Gearbox can build off this success with more inventive gameplay, the series has a chance of overcoming the boredom that curses so many WWII titles."
Metareview - Lego Batman
It's time again for another Lego [fill in the blank] title from Traveller's Tales. This time the blocky series follows the Dark Knight and his ward as they attempt to recapture the criminals of Gotham City who've escaped Arkham Asylum. The reviews seem to either take comfort in the familiarity the TT Lego franchise has brought so far, or squarely takes aim at Lego Batman for falling into the same pitfalls that the entire series has been plagued by. GamePro (90/100): "Full of surprises, humor and an all-star cast of playable characters, it's yet another solid reinvention of an established license. Plus, it has Batman in it!" GameDaily (80/100): "If you're sick and tired of LEGO games, then LEGO Batman: The Videogame probably won't change your mind. However, if you enjoy them as much as we do, then you shouldn't hesitate to shine the Bat-Signal and answer the call." IGN (77/100): "LEGO Batman is good fun, but it's really just the same thing we've seen before. I don't think the LEGO formula needs much of a change, but certainly the common issues with the series should no longer exist. If you're looking to have a laugh with a buddy or you want something kid-friendly, this is your game." Game Informer (75/100): "The charm of LEGO blocks is exploring your creativity and building new things, so Traveler's Tales' habit of sticking to one formula stands in stark contrast to the entire LEGO philosophy. We've had fun with this series, but it's time to dump the franchise out on the floor and start piecing it back into something new."
Metareview -- Wario Land: Shake It! (Wii)
Mario's evil Twinner, Wario, would have been right at home in the "Me Generation" of the '80s, where, as Charlie Sheen's Gordon Gekko pronounces in Wall Street, "Greed is good!" The rotund, gassy, gold-obsessed anti-hero spends his latest adventure – and first platforming outing on Wii – seeking out riches with the aid of several Wiimote-centric play mechanics, including – you guessed it – shaking the controller. Here's how its mix of novel controls and 2D visuals (which you can see for yourself in these videos) shook reviewers: IGN (84/100): "A really fun experience thanks to excellent control and fantastic level designs, not to mention a beautiful visual presentation." Nintendo Power (80/100): "There's some great puzzle solving and a lot of visual and gameplay variety among the levels, and it has the kind of fun controls that make you want to pick up the controller just to run around. In a gaming season that appears short on epic hardcore games, Wario's latest-and possibly best-treasure hunt is worth its weight in gold." Eurogamer (70/100): "A game which is good, but not great, and certainly not up to the standard of Nintendo's best 2D platformers." Edge (60/100): "Nintendo is famed for sprinkling around mechanics other developers would build entire games on, but here the effect is quite irritating."
