Red Faction II
March 7, 2009 by Xbox Reviews
Filed under Video Games
Red Faction II takes you deeper into the dangerous futuristic world of Red Faction! Deadly 4-player splitscreen death match lets you create bots Support for USB keyboard & mouse
User Ratings and Reviews
2 Stars Crappy, but a lot of muliplayer maps
This game is a little corny and a little crappy for an FPS in campaign mode, but there are a lot of fair multiplayer options. Destructible environments, many different weapons, tons of maps (more than I’ve ever seen in a game), many goofy looking creatures to choose from, and 1 thing the people of Bungi forgot: BOTS! Although the Bot AI is just random – they run around and shoot, run around and shoot. Always running, never stopping. Still, the multiplayer is worth a couple bucks in the discount bin if you find it.
2 Stars horrible
this game SUX. I didn’t do anything. I chose easy and yet you were still shot at alot. I spent so much time figuring out what to do, and shooting my gun at the same time. I didn’t try multiplayer even i thought it would be good. THQ sux. luckily i rented it. you should do the same if your thinking about this.
3 Stars Run-N’-Gunner that could have been so much more
I decided to rent this game because of the praise that I had received from numerous magazines about the original Red Faction. Now, let me tell you, this is nothing compared to the original Red Faction. For some reason, THQ had put it on cruise control for this version and instead of making it better, they had made it much worse. This game is a Run and Gunner, which I said on the title. If you are not into this genre, don’t rent it.
Pros: 1. Walls can be blown up, dented, fragged, etc. (original, I think)
2. Solid Multiplayer Mode (up to 4 players with bots…. but can only have 6 playing though.)
Cons: 1. Plot is very stale (don’t really get a background on Sopot (supposed “bad guy”) or any of the main characters. And the plot twist in the middle of the game does little to make it interesting)
2. Cutscenes redefine the definition of “bare bones” (some take less than 5 seconds!)
3. “Multiple endings” is a joke (no real change in ending of game, just a change in the AFTERMATH of the game which is not affected by decisions, but by only friendly fire!)
4. Graphics leave much to be desired.
5. Grenade throwing is iffy.
6. music and sound aren’t that good either.
Final Verdict: My belief is that this game is not worthy of being bought. Unless you don’t have Halo and need a multiplayer game. But rent it if you wish to experience it.
2 Stars Worth a rental….
I was eager to play this game because I was a huge Red Faction fan for the PC when it came out years ago. I especiall enjoyed the G-mod effect where you can blow out walls…especially on multi-play. So I had high hopes for this new Red Faction release. I was dissapointed..plain and simple. The gameplay was horribly short and uneventful. I enjoy a FPS that has a good story behind it…ala Deus Ex:Invisible War or even the corniest story lines like Return to Castle Wolfenstein. But they were great games! Red Faction is the type of game that only a person would enjoy if you just wanted to go around shooting stuff. Mind you, I did enjoy the grenade launcher and turning my foes into chunks of flesh…but even that gets old at times. The graphic environments are below par…nothing new or innovative here. The voice acting is complete cheese and the storyline that was so brilliant in the first RF incarnation is absent here. The AI in this game is horrible and is completly laughable. I guess that is why getting through it is so easy because the difficulty is a joke.
All in all, this is not the best title out there…but is not the worst if you just want to pick up a game that you can spend a few hours on. Stick with greats for your Xbox like Prince of Persia, Ninja Gaiden, Halo…and the upcoming Doom 3 and Halo 2. A rental folks…not a buyer. You’ve been warned.
2 Stars why did i waste my money?
this game was just ok. i thought the multiplayer sucked. co -op mode was good but all the other modes sucked. The levels were horrible and it was extremely easy to kill people. you could just go in there with a grenade launcher and blow the heck out of everybody. I thought the multiplayer was fun but on the third level underground it was confusing what to do. Alot of times the enemies on normal level would shoot at you for forty-five seconds and you would barely be damaged.
Halo 2 The Official Game Guide
February 12, 2009 by Xbox Reviews
Filed under Book
Halo 2 The Official Game Guide
The Official Halo 2 Guide: Strategy Evolved
Developed on-site at Bungie studios and written by the elite Piggyback team, this guide includes an encyclopedic appraisal of Halo 2′s multiplayer mode; a full, highly accessible walkthrough for the epic Campaign mode; and everything on basic play, all in one book.
The product of over four months of writing, research, and design, this guide includes:
·Detailed annotated maps: outwit multiplayer opponents with your intimate knowledge of level architecture
·Study all features of multiplayer maps, from power-up locations to “secret” areas, attack routes, and more
·Includes and exhaustive rundown of preset and custom game types—design your own multiplayer match and attract the best crowd
·Features hundreds of digital screenshots to illustrate key points
·Packed with tips, tactics, and techniques from the Bungie team
·Learn about every adversary, vehicle, and weapon—their strengths and shortcomings and how you can exploit these
·Confidently negotiate the huge Campaign mode with our exclusive maps and step-by-step walkthrough
·Designed to enhance the Halo 2 experience for newcomers and Halo: Combat Evolved veterans alike
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars 38 and still playing!
I got this guide for the game that I had to buy again for my son, and even thou’ I’ve been around since the game “Pong”, (ask your parents) I’ve seen the growth of video games to today’s runners, and I have to say that I’ve played lots of games, I find this book to more than helpful. After playing the level, you can save your progress and go back and search out more items. I use it along with the game, my 9 year old boy laughs at me becuase I puase the game and look over the plan of action before going into battle!
5 Stars Halo 2 Game Guide (by Piggyback)
Pros:
Sturdy Cover
Sturdy photo-like pages
Great stratagey
Screenshots
Spoiler Warnings
Cons:
None unless you dont like guides
Review:
This guide was made in Bungie Studios itself. It is very complete and, if you are having trouble with Halo 2 it will help you. There are 57 pages of basics, a near perfect walkthrough,beautiful screenshots, great multiplayer guide, oh need i go on? I would definitly buy this guide if i were you. It is better than Prima or even Nintendo Power. If you have Xbox live plai
y it online. My gamertag is Bug 23.
5 Stars Unmatchable
This is a work of art in itself. The pages show beautiful maps and killer strategies that cannot be challenged. This amazing book shows all weapons, enemies, vehicles and even secret areas. It has
unbeatable multiplayer strategies and shows all there is to Halo 2 on Xbox Live. Buy the superbly spectacular guide to the best game ever right now!
5 Stars This is a great guide
Let me start off addressing some things. Some people don’t find a need for this guide, and that’s fine, but that doesn’t mean others won’t need it. Secondly, those who keep saying “Go online, go online, go online,” seem to have forgotten two things. One: There are people who want the information in their lap and don’t have a computer right next to their gaming system. The second is simple, some people are more visual learners. They learn the game by using maps and screenshots. For some, text just doesn’t cut it. Using online guides is fine, but remember when you review a strategy guide you should actually be REVIEWING THE GUIDE, not blabbering whether or not one should use an online guide (if they wanted an online guide, do you think they’d waste time coming to Amazon to buy it?).
Anyway, with that out of my system, let’s move on. Piggyback Interactive, for those who don’t know, is a guide company in the UK. The moment you pick up one of their guides you’ll be blown away! If you thought VERSUS BOOKS was good (before they went out of business) allow Piggyback to correct you.
The guide begins with over 50 pages of game basics. This means getting you to learn the controls, weapons, vehicles and enemies before actually diving into the walkthrough. For newcomers to Halo 2, this is a lifesaver.
The walkthrough is pretty detailed as well. They actually tell you a couple of differences between difficulty levels. You really have to utilize the maps though (which are vastly detailed beyond anything Prima, Brady, Versus, or even Nintendo Power put out). It’s a guide that is written in the sense of, find the corresponding number in the text. In other words, if a “1″ is marked on the map, find section “1″ in the text.
The secrets also tell you all you need to know, and should there be a spoiler, they alert you before moving on.
Of course, even this guide has it’s problems. For one, the maps are ridiculously cluttered, and there are too many symbols to remember. It’s a good thing they have a fold out legend. Second, while the secrets are in-depth they didn’t pin-point out easter eggs. And lastly (and this isn’t a big one) there is just too much artwork taking up space where valuble text could’ve been. I don’t say this to be funny, I say this because this guide weighs a ton with it’s thick paper and all.
A fantastic guide though. If you can, log on and import piggyback interactive guides. If you need a guide for Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy X (or better yet, get their FFIX guide, NO PLAYONLINE THERE!), Metal Gear Solid 3 and the like, get Piggyback. You won’t be disappointed.
1 Star No reason to buy this!!
Halo 2 is a very easy game and this guide will not tell you ANYTHING you won’t find in about 3 minutes.
Blitz The League
February 9, 2009 by Xbox Reviews
Filed under Video Games
Blitz: The League makes you feel the aches, the pains, the triumphs of life as a pro football player. You’ve achieved your dream — you’re playing in The League. Your arms ache from weight-room reps and painkillers are blurring your vision. The dirty hits you’ve laid on QBs are career-enders but they also keep you employed. Two more sacks and you get your bonus, paying for your fast cars and faster lifestyle. Its 4th and 3 and you are up by 7. Stuff the offense, beat your opponents bloody and win at any cost!
User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars Blitz: Not for the weak in spirit
When I bought Blitz the league I was hoping for an experience a little different then the madden games give you, and I definitely got that. This game gets down into the “real” world of professional football. It has painkillers and steroids and other things like that, that really are not officialy part of football but are still there. I enjoyed it for awhile but no one will play it online it seems like. So I would say if you are looking for an experience of football different then madden go ahead get this game, but if you are faint of heart you might want to think twice about getting this game because there is blood and profanity. I gave this game a three mostly because it is lacking in online players and because its just a little over the top on violence and profanity, but if you just want to enjoy a little simplified football (with a little bit more attitude) by yourself then I would reccomend this game to you.
4 Stars Smashing upgrade to great series
They couldn’t get the NFL logo or players on this one but it still brings most of the fun and even adds to the franchise. The campaign mode sorta plays like a movie, there’s an actual story line behind and certain things happen at key moments to affect the storyline and gameplay. You can choose how you put your team together, focus on running or passing, offense or defense. There’s also always the option of juicing your players which can have positive and negative affects. A couple more of the new features include clash mode and injuries. Clash mode allows you to blaze through a defense with some amazing moves or smash the opposing offense with a dirty hit, taking down the players stamina and increasing the likelyhood of a fumble or injury to that player. There are many types of injuries that can happen on the field and you can choose to treat the player and have him make a full recovery or juice him and get him back in the game quicker, leaving greater potential for repeated injury.
All in all, I bought this game because it was cheap and I wanted something to take up some time but it brought back my love for arcade style sports games. True, there’s no fire mode but that’s quickly forgotten with all that has been done for the game. They brought the game on par with madden but actually kept the fun and that’s why I love it.
3 Stars SAME AS FIRST XBOX EDITION
Don’t get your hopes up for anything different it’s the exact same game graphics and music. they just converted it to work for the 360.
It’s fun , but it’s the same damn game.
4 Stars Great Game
This game is a fun game to get away from the madden series.
If you want to just sit back and have some bone crushing fun, then this is it.
Pretty easy and straightforward game and is plenty of fun, so it make a great party game. It will take most people new to it a bit to get used to the action being much much faster than other football games like madden and EA.
3 Stars decent game, either as a rental or for $15 or less
This game is somewhat entertaining, and can be a great deal of fun, however, I wouldn’t call this game one of the better titles in the xbox 360 lineup.
Pros: The gameplay is different from all the other football games out there, and can be a refreshing change from all of the other standard titles. The juicing, fighting and dirty hits make it a fun change from the Maddens and 2k games of the world.
Cons: The graphics are just ok, the gameplay is a little stilted at time. Also, the cheerleader cuts and bones breaking videos don’t really seem to be necessary. It would be nice if you could turn those off.
Overall i wouldn’t buy this game unless you can find it for 10-15$, and even then a rental might be a better solution.
Mech Assault
February 6, 2009 by Xbox Reviews
Filed under Video Games
MechAssault puts you in charge of a 40-foot walking tank — you’ll pilot it through a futuristic war zone and fight to survive! Download free Mechs and new maps through your Xbox Live connection Fully compatible with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Giant Robots are awesome!
If you’re a long time fan of Mechwarrior and were thrilled to see this title hit Xbox like I was, I think you were pleasantly surprised upon playing this! Now I’m not as die hard a follower of the Mechwarrior titles as some people and I’ve only played a few here and there including Mechcommander 2. I think some people who were really into the PC version of this game will be slightly disappointed in a few things. The control and views of the Mech are a little dumbed down for the users; I think this has more to do with controller limitations because there’s no keyboard. The second major difference is you can only use in game stock Mechs during the campaign. You can’t customize any of them unfortunately. However, if you can get over these changes I think you will still have fun with the game.
I felt like Mechassault had a bit more of a cogent story line than some of the other Mechwarrior titles. In Mechassault you are playing the role of a member of the Wolf Dragoons and you’ve been commissioned to infiltrate a planet controlled by the Word of Blake. For some reason I never felt like I had this precise of a purpose in Mechwarrior game before. The campaign mode is pretty much a solo mission where you have to do everything on your own; unfortunately you don’t get any help from another group of Dragoons, even though you hear about reports of them fighting in other parts of the planet. The new stock Mech designs are actually pretty cool along with some old favorites and I did like using most of them. The favorite Mech called the Atlas is available in this game as well, but I found myself using the Timberwolf a lot when I played this game through a second time. Although, I think I favored the MadCat IV my first time through and I outright hate the Summoner. You do get lots of Mechs to choose from so I’m sure any Mechwarrior can find their favored machine to use. Unfortunately there are a couple missions where you are forced to fight with a specific Mech, this is alright because it’s only for like two missions worth.
The graphics and environment are quite awesome. The graphics are pretty comparable to the Mechwarrior IV game for the PC. While I have seen better graphics on other Xbox games, I felt these were decent enough for Mechassault. The environment you get to interact with is really awesome though. You can destroy anything to your hearts little desire. Even though you’re trying to save the people of the planet from the Word of Blake faction… you can still destroy all their houses and cities in the process! One major downfall of this game is the saving function. There is no mid-mission save ability. If you do not complete the mission you fail and thus have to restart the mission. This is incredibly annoying if the mission is kind of long. This happened to me a couple times; I made it to the final part of the mission to essentially fight the boss Mech and was destroyed at the very last part. I had to restart the mission in order to get back to where I left off which took another hour of game play. While I’m not complaining about a game being challenging, I’m complaining that as a user I don’t have save options which is really annoying not to have.
Overall I think this game was quite a lot of fun with a better story line to follow as well. There are a few things I would change here and there, but they are technically minor over all. I’ve enjoyed Mechs and Battletech stuff ever since I was a little kid, being able to enjoy this on Xbox was a lot of fun for me. I have to spend a lot of time in front of a computer for my job, so being able to have this in a console format when I don’t want to play a computer game was great fun!
5 Stars This is the Platinum Hits online enabled version
The photo of the game is misleading, this is the platinum hits online enabled version if you buy it new from Amazon. I was looking specifically for the original version.
4 Stars Ripping good fun
Game sounds good and looks pretty good too. Not as good as some games, but it is an older game. Game play is sweet fun with lots of stuff to destroy and humans to step on.
5 Stars Amazingly fun – I miss it now
Was a truly amazing experience on the XBOX. Harkens the days to Battletech goodness. Showed off what the original Xbox could do.
4 Stars mech assault
this is a fun game if your inti the mechs the graphics are good but like the first halo game type the difficulty level are weak to easy to kill stuff but expert setting there only like 7 mechs and then varients of those ones that just have differnet weapons loadout the multiplayer is good but not great
Tom Clancys Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
January 22, 2009 by Xbox Reviews
Filed under Video Games
Tom Clancys Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
Ghost Recon 3: Advanced Warfighter shows you the future of military science, today. In 2013, the U.S. Army will implement the Integrated Warfighter System — combining advanced weapon systems, satellite communication devices and enhanced survivability into one fully integrated combat system. The first to test this new system on the battlefield are the Ghosts, as they face an insurgence in the heart of Mexico City.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars The Legacy Continues..
this game falls inline with the rest of the Ghost series. its kind of Exactly like Ghost Recon 2 for the original xbox. if you liked that game then you should like this one as well. im not much for the Campaign mode, i play online…and THATS a blast to play as well rather your competing with other players or on a team with them doing a Co-op. rather THIS or any of them are better than the Very First Ghost Recon…i cant say lol theyre all pretty much the same. though ALL of them are better than G.R.A.W. 2, avoid that one.
iLL .
4 Stars Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter review by IXXY
Ok, first of all let me say that at first I wasn’t a big fan of this game when it first came out but, after playing the multiplayer mode with friends over XboxLive it made me want to try the single player mode and it took a little to grow on me but, after 2 missions I was hooked. Now let me be clear, the single player mode is fun, you control a team of operatives that are out to stop the terrorists plot (SIMPLE RIGHT?) Not, imagine the show 24 if Bauer was in charge of a tactical squad in the middle of a 3 day ground war (HOTNESS)
Now the multiplayer mode is where I get get my most joy of this game. The more than a dozen modes to choose from and the fact that you can compete or cooperate with 16 players around the world is awesome. I love to play co op campaign with my buddies, everyone picks there fav weapon and try to accomplish the goals whatever they may be together or break up into small two man teams to complete the objectives. I love the sniper rifle myself. But seriously you have to play smart in this game because like in real life 1-2 bullets is enough to drop you for good in this game. Some call it cheap but, I call it keep your head down and pick your shots because this is not the game to go all HALO (IE guns Blazing) You will be dead in 1 min if you do that. GRAW is a game that demands patience and a clear head when fighting it out with the enemies. Hands down one of the best games on the 360 GRAW gets a hard fought 9.5 out of 11 RECOMENDED
4 Stars Ghost Recon
It take a small time to e get used too, but is really fun game to play.
5 Stars Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
This is a Great game series I hope Tom Clancy does a part 3. This is by far one of Tom Clancy’s best game series.
4 Stars Far Superior To Previous Installments…But…
Still not as good as the Rainbow Six Series. GR still stands far ahead of most of the rest of the pack. This is a great game at a great price. The main story lacks, but is made up for in the numerous ways the game can be played either solo or with friends.