The latest onslaught of videogame reviews/first impressions by yours truly, Martok2112 (or Lord Martok, whichever you prefer)
NOTE: This review is rated T for suggestive themes....so if thine eyes offend thee, click the back button.
VIDEOGAME: SPLINTER CELL: DOUBLE AGENT
DEVELOPER: UBISOFT
PUBLISHER: RED STORM/RAD
SYSTEMS: XBOX 360, PLAYSTATION 2 (XBOX 360 REVIEWED)
RATING: M (MATURE for BLOOD, LANGUAGE, VIOLENCE)
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 1 (2-6 ONLINE/OFFLINE MULTIPLAYER)
Graphics: 4.5/5
Sound: 5/5
Control: 3/5
Story: 5/5
Endorphin Factor: 4/5
Frustration Factor: 2.5/5
Scoring system:
Average: 4 /5
GAMES IT COULD BE COMPARED TO: SPLINTER CELL GAMES SERIES, METAL GEAR SOLID SERIES
DETAILS: Sam Fisher is at it again in this latest adventure, and this time, he's a double agent. A revered hero, and a hunted terrorist. Graphics are servicable, but they look PS2 quality. Sound is spot on, as expected from a Tom Clancy based game. Controls take some getting used to...longer than I'd care for, but not overlong. Michael Ironside lends his familiar voice once again to Sam Fisher. I've only played the first part of the first mission, but it's enough to let me know that this game is highly detailed, very technical, and will deliver a kick ass story of the caliber of a Tom Clancy based movie. Have not tried multiplayer yet, but given the lackluster experience I had with an earlier Splinter Cell title, I am not exactly chomping at the bit to give this one a try as it sounds like much of the same. I would love to see this game in 1080p, however, despite the slightly lesser graphics.
BOTTOM LINE: Fans of this series of games (or even this genre) will not be disappointed....but multiplayer is questionable.
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VIDEOGAME: MEDAL OF HONOR: HEROES
DEVELOPER: EA GAMES
PUBLISHER: EA GAMES
SYSTEMS: SONY PLAYSTATION PORTABLE (PSP)
RATING: T (TEEN for VIOLENCE)
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 1 (Ad-Hoc Multiplayer 2-8), (Infrastructure Multiplayer 2-32)
Graphics: 5 /5
Sound: 5 /5
Control: 4.5 /5
Story: 5 /5
Endorphin Factor: 5 /5
Frustration Factor: 4.5 /5
Scoring system:
Average: 4.8 /5
GAMES IT COULD BE COMPARED TO: MEDAL OF HONOR SERIES ON CONSOLES, STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT 2
DETAILS: Kull wahad. I am profoundly stirred. This game really delivers on the portable that could, the Sony PSP. The graphics are really good for this console title...perhaps a little more on par with a PS1 MOH title as opposed to PS2, but still, they're wonderful. Sounds, ambience, music, voice acting.....splendid. Control is pretty darned good, either, using the analog stick to move forward, backward, and strafe left and right, while the face buttons (X,O,Square, Triangle) handle the lookabout. Reloading, using, healing, weapons switches and crouching are handled on the d-pad. (Similar to Star Wars Battlefront 2's control scheme). Aiming is done with the Left shoulder button, firing with the right (only natural). The missions are relatively short, with way point arrows on the compass guiding you to where your primary and secondary objectives are. (Very un-World War II'ish in technology, but it does help). There are a variety of WW II weapons in this game, and a ton of unlockables, such as uniforms for multiplayer. And online multiplayer is not bad at all. I strolled in, and scored about 5 or 6 kills...then I lost the network. It also seemed like there may have been a few cheaters....but it also could've been a network failing.
BOTTOM LINE: If there is any one first person shooter you MUST get for the PSP....this game is IT!
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VIDEOGAME: ACE COMBAT: SKIES OF DECEPTION
DEVELOPER: BANDAI/NAMCO
PUBLISHER: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT
SYSTEMS: SONY PLAYSTATION PORTABLE (PSP)
RATING: T (TEEN for ALCOHOL REFERENCES, MILD LANGUAGE, VIOLENCE)
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 1 (Ad-Hoc Multiplayer 2-4)
Graphics: 4.5/5
Sound: 5/5
Control: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Endorphin Factor: 5/5
Frustration Factor: 3/5
Scoring system:
Average: 4.25 /5
GAMES IT COULD BE COMPARED TO: ACE COMBAT CONSOLE SERIES ON PS2.
DETAILS: Another nice little title for the nice little system, the Playstation Portable. This game looks and feels very much like its console cousins. Graphics fall somewhere in between PS1 and PS2 (and that's not a bad thing), sounds and combat chatter are good, although some of the characters sound almost "fey". Control is fairly nicely laid out, and I haven't examined all the configurations, but, where I am used to having accelerate/afterburner and brakes on the L2/R2, and the YAW on the L1/R1 buttons of the PS2, it took a little getting used to executing those moves on the PSP's D-pad. Still, the game has that classic Ace Combat feel...and I know once I get used to the configuration, I'll be feeling like I'm back in the pilot's seat again. The controls do lend a little bit to the detracting score of the frustration factor, but not too badly. Have not tried multiplayer, because I haven't found any other locals with PSP's and a copy of this game. I really wish companies would start making more online PSP titles...as it has been proven it can be done. (See my Medal of Honor: Heroes quickie).
BOTTOM LINE: As with the Medal of Honor series, fans of Ace Combat on the PS2 will NOT be disappointed with this powerhouse in a small package.
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Quickie reviews 002
