Mass Effect 2
Xbox 360 & PC
1 Player
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: EA
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Price: $59.99 (Xbox 360) $49.00 (PC)

This week the first major release of 2010 hit store shelves and has taken over Xbox and PC gamers everywhere. Continuing the story of Commander Shepard as he tries to save the galaxy from being wiped out by an advanced robotic alien race (The Reapers). However, this time around it seems that Shepard and his crew are going at this alone without the help of the Alliance and the other alien races. The fate of every race in the galaxy now lies in your Cerberus (a not so trusted secret agency) backed hands.

Pros

Story – The story for Mass Effect 2 is in fact MASSIVE. As you progress through you will realize that the folks over at BioWare put a lot time and effort into all of the new characters within this game. I love that they make you earn the respect to the crew by exploring some part of their past. They also did a great job of mixing in elements from the first game and showing them in a new unexpected light.

One of the biggest factors in the way the story plays out from your choices from the first game. This makes for an interesting approach to how you are received on other planets and the way your new conversation choices come about. Now for those of you who don’t know what I am talking about let me give you a quick little idea of how BioWare delivers one hell of a story. Just like the first Mass Effect the player has the ability to choose what Commander Shepard says. Those choices affect how good or bad Shepard comes across all while unlocking new reasoning or intimidation choices. Some of the choices you made in the first game now might come back to haunt you in the second and honestly BioWare has changed the way you game and hopefully other companies will follow suit.

The New Upgrade System – Love it. Finding new weapons and upgrades through out the levels makes you wander around and explore. Yes, you can purchase upgrade your weapons, armor, and biotics at random kiosks, but where is the fun in that? It also helps you aren’t limited to 3-5 specific upgrades that really don’t help you in the end. Now you have the ability to truly customize your character the way you want it, not just facial features and life choices.

Middle Ground

Graphics – As you progress through the game you will realize that it basically looks like first game just a little more polished in some areas. I would say that the cut scenes are where you can really tell that they improved in graphics, however I noticed that characters start to blend in with the background like they are standing in front of a green screen. The more I play through the game the more I feel less impressed by what I am being shown. Both games are basically using Unreal Engine 3 to power them and that hurts Mass Effect 2.

Scanning The Planets – I might be within the selected few here that miss driving around in the Mako searching for points of interest. Also I am spending too many valuable credits on probes when they could be spent on weapon, armor, and biotics upgrades.

Cons

The Cover System – This was one of the main cons from the first game that I was hoping they would fix. I mean come on BioWare someone in your QA department didn’t notice how horrible the cover system was. Through out the game Shepard would break cover while he was firing or trying to biotic throw someone. Also, at random times rocket blasts would push you back from your cover and well you know what that leads to.

AI System – Just like in the first game the AI system within Mass Effect 2 is still pretty bad. Your team members still just walk around in the middle of a firefight causing them to die or for you to waste med gel on them. It also bugs out occasionally and your team members will wind up standing atop a 10 foot platform with no plausible way of getting up there.

No Jump - This is something that I didn’t like the first game lacked. Now I’m not saying I want the ability to jump so I can bunny hope across the level. I mean come on this isn’t Counter-Strike 1.2 here. However, I would like the ability to gain some high vantage points while in the middle of a firefight.

Overall, Mass Effect 2 is a great game for what it is worth. The story has so much depth to it that it carry’s A LOT for the game while other departments lack and fall short. If you played the first game then you know how addicting this game can be. Would I run out to buy it if I didn’t play the first or stopped because I lost interest? No, I would rent it or borrow it from a friend once they have gotten their fix. BUT if you are one of those people who love a well thought out Sci-Fi story or a great story in general then I suggest you buy it. Just remember that ALL of your choices carry some sort of burden.

Interesting story (check), amazing art style (check), killing Nazis (check), code that lets you unlock topless burlesque dancers (check), elements of Grand Theft Auto and Assassin’s Creed (check). All these things compose Pandemic Studios latest and last game ever The Saboteur.

The Saboteur
Xbox 360, PS3, & PC
Developer: Pandemic Studios
Publisher: EA
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Price: Xbox 360, PS3, & PC – $49.99

Pros

It’s Like Sin City Meets 300 – The art style within The Saboteur is amazing. As you make your way through Paris you will notice that areas still under Nazi occupation lose their color and become different shades of grey. The only real colors left are those of the lights in windows and anything red. From the second I started playing this game I feel in love with this and hope more games take a cue from it. You can even over look the generic character models this game has because of this.

I’m In The Killin Nazi Business - Honestly who doesn’t love running around and taking out some Nazis? The Saboteur lets you do this in so many ways. From blowing up buildings and structures, taking out the enemy with stealth kills, and going all out with a gun fight. Pandemic did such a great job of making this aspect of the game fun that you will sometimes stop in the middle of a mission to take out a watch tower or run over any Nazi that gets in your way. Now if only they let you carry around a Louisville Slugger.

Hello Ladies – One thing that Pandemic Studios did before they closed their doors was include a DLC code with the game that let’s you see the girls in the Cabaret hideout the way they were supposed to be seen…TOPLESS. Yeah I know the little kid in me is going crazy over seeing some video game boobies, but this is a real first for us in America. These days games are so overly censured that I’m surprised this even got approved by Microsoft to be allowed as DLC.

Middle Ground

I Have Seen This Story Before – Main character see’s best friend killed by villain, main character vows revenge at all cost, main character inspires the people to rise up, main character gets tricked by group or agency to do their dirty work, and main character finally gets his revenge. Even though Pandemic Studios give us an interesting main character (Sean) this story idea has been done and done again. It really doesn’t matter if you change the settings or what leads to the main character getting into this mess it is still the same story.

So Wait What Side Am I Working For – Between helping the French Resistance, the British government, and doing your own thing you start to wish that everyone would just start working together and not going in opposite directions. Let alone that it seems that everyone who seeks your help has their own intentions and not those of the greater good.

Okay I’m Going To Play GTA Paris…Wait I Mean The Saboteur – This right here takes A LOT away from the game. You are basically playing Grand Theft Auto Paris during World War II. So if you have played ANY GTA game before then you know that after awhile you stop completing missions just go around and kill people to see how many stars or in this case alarms you get too see if you can escape.

Cons

I’m Sorry Is That Supposed To Be A _____ Accent – The voice acting in this game is pretty bad. You have people doing the cockiest French and British accents I have heard in awhile. Ugh just thinking about them makes me shiver. The only semi acceptable accent is that of the main character Sean. Now it might not be the best Irish accent I have heard it’s better then listening to Luc speak.

Overall The Saboteur is a solid game. If you don’t mind the over used story, horrible accents, and repetitive game play then you will enjoy this game. The art style within this game is amazing and I still love driving around Paris and experiencing it. However, I wouldn’t run out to buy it just for that. Give it a rent and run through some the main story to if you’ll enjoy it. Then if you want to buy it so you can take your time and gain the full experience of the story and art do so. I really think that if Pandemic Studios wasn’t being shut down towards the end of development this game would have turned out so much better.

3 out of 5 Stars.

NHL 2010
Xbox 360 & PS3
Developer: EA Canada
Publisher: EA Sports
ESRB Rating: E10+
Price: Xbox 360 & PS3- $59.99

Pros

I told You These Were Good Seats! – Right off the bat you will notice the improved graphics of NHL 2010. As you watch players skate onto the ice you can be blinded by the flashes from cameras in the crowd and see different facial expressions of players as they line up for that opening face off. Once the game begins you will notice the ice start to show signs of ware and tare on it as the period progresses.

Probably one of the most noticeable improvements from years past is the crowd. Long gone are the days of looking at a stadium filled with fans made of paper. Nowadays you have full on representations of your teams die hards waving towels above their heads and banging on the glass. Now only if EA could incorporate a digital Holden McNeil and Alyssa Jones fighting in the crowd.

Punch Him In His Neck, Number 12! – This year the folks over at EA wanted to bring a little something extra to the fighting experience in NHL 2010. So they introduced first person fighting. That’s right now you see through the eyes of the person you are controlling instead of overlooking what is going on. They also integrated the ability to dodge punches and even put your opponent into a headlock.

Holy Game Modes Batman! – There is something for everyone in this game. From Quick Match, Playoff Series, Battle for the Cup, Be a Pro, Be a GM, and online play. So you can get your quick hockey fix in, test your wits to see if you would make it in the NHL or if you have what it takes to build a franchise and lead them to Lord Stanley’s Mug.

The Soundtrack – Alexisonfire, Dragonforce, Eagles of Death Metal, Megadeth, MxPx, & Rancid enough said. O and they have a new Green Day song….

Cons

1 2 3 Triple Deke – NHL 2007 honestly had one of the best control set ups of all time. The right analog stick controlled different shots with each direction and gave the game a little something. However, they would go on to change those controls and just have basic shooting controlled by the right analog stick. They also have the classic NHL 94 controls you can choose, but I miss the ones from 2007.

Let Us Earn That Right, Not Pay For It – This year EA is letting you purchase equipment that will help boost your players stats instead of earning them. I’m sorry, but I am not going to pay for a stick or helmet just to “give my player an edge.” This should have been something you unlock through milestones.

I Need You Over Here, Not Over There – There are still some issues with the CPU players on your team. Most of the time they hang back causing them to miss passes and rebounds from shots. This can get frustrating during must win situations.

Bring Back The Goodies Like Blood & Super Checking – This is an every year complaint, but it isn’t Hockey with out these things. We need blood on the ice after fights because I want to relive those 16-bit days. Also, they need to bring back the ability to check people through glass and over the bench boards. So many times I would have had guys flying into the crowd or their own bench. Things like that really make you miss the little things video games use to offer.

Overall, I believe NHL 2010 is a solid title. With the improvements in graphics, game modes, and fighting they will keep you playing until you are sick of hearing that siren go off every time a goal is scored. Even with the not so awesome controls and CPU problems won’t cause you to stop playing especially is your player has be demoted to the AHL. If you are a Hockey fan this is a must buy because it allows you to become that much closer to your favorite franchise. For those of you who are looking for a game to rent you should consider trying this because you might actually enjoy it.

4 out of 5.

Assassin’s Creed II
Xbox 360, PS3, & PC
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
ESRB Rating: M For Mature
Price: Xbox 360 & PS3- $59.99 PC – $49.99

The basic story behind Assassin’s Creed II picks up basically right where the first game ended. Desmond is still being held captive by Abstergo Industries due to his ancestry. Soon Desmond is rescued by Lucy Stillman, a former researcher for Abstergo and a member of the modern-day Assassins, and brought to a hideout where her and two other modern-day Assassins have built there own Animus (device that let’s you relive your ancestors past). Their goal is to train Desmond via the bleeding effect and search for another Pieces of Eden through the memories of another of Desmond’s ancestors Ezio Auditore da Firenze who resides in Italy during the Renaissance. This is where the more intersting story takes place.

Pros

A Story So Good You Won’t Want To Stop Playing – One of the biggest factors Assassin’s Creed II is so addictive is the story behind it. You will honestly sit there trying to figure out how everything you discover comes together and the second you have the answer the game will prove your theory wrong. Between playing through Ezio Auditore da Firenze’s story and wondering how everything will turn out for Desmond there is enough to occupy 15+ hours of your time.

The game also makes you go through just about all the little semi-side quest and puzzles to unlock little hints that will help, try to at least, explain what is going on. From looking for glyphs left by Subject 16 (Desmond is Subject 17), finding codex pages (Assassin’s Bible), and helping rebuild your stronghold you will be busy all the time. However, it is the main story that keeps your attention. Trust me when I say that at the end of the game you will be questioning a lot more then the events that took place, but also the history of the world and maybe even your faith.

Hey I Can See My Stronghold From Here – Along with a better story then its predecessor, Assassin’s Creed II also features improved graphics. You might not notice them right away, but once you scale your first tower to unlock a piece of the map you will be like HOLY SH*T. The detail of the vast landscape of Italy and the cities you visit within this game are breath taking. I want to visit the country now just so I can see them for myself.

Besides the graphical detail of the world around you will also notice that the further you get in the game there are a few little things that make you appreciate how far long video games have come. Examples would be watching Ezio’s clothes dry after diving in water, the changing of lighting and shadows on objects, and sparks flying from swords as you fight enemies.

Plus, the cut scenes are pretty to watch.

Ninja Warrior Course Here Comes Ezio – Just like in the first game, Assassin’s Creed II relies on your characters free running/ parkour abilities. From climbing towers to unlock parts of the map to using roof tops to sneak up on your targets. I guarantee that you will spend most of your time running or climbing something.

Leonardo da Vinci Is The Man – One of your main allies within this game is Leonardo da Vinci. Mr. da Vinci will help you decipher codex pages which in turn lead to improved weapons to make your killing that much more fun. He also lends you one of his inventions to help you complete a mission.

Cons

I Said Go Right, Not Backwards! – The controls for Assassin’s Creed II could use a little work. There were certain points within the game that I found myself spending 30 minutes or so just trying to finish one Assassin Tomb challenge. Your controls would get stuck in one action for a few seconds or not react at all to what button you pushed or moved the analog stick. I even changed batteries and controllers to see if that would help and it didn’t.

Um Excuse Me This Isn’t The Shot I Wanted – There are some parts of the game where the camera will go into an angle where you can barely make out what’s going on or the action needed to advance. It will also cause you to move in the wrong direction or worse fall making you go through an entire puzzle course again.

Overall, Assassin’s Creed II is everything that it should be. Just like the first game it keeps your attention while making it fun to play and teaching you a little something along the way. The story alone is worth playing this game if not for the enjoyment factor, but for its whole perspective on certain biblical and world events. Plus, any game that starts out with a warning and the fact it was made by people of different faiths and religions you know it is going to be good.

4 out of 5 stars

Left 4 Dead 2
Xbox 360 & PC
Developer: Valve
Publisher: EA
ESRB Rating: M For Mature
Price: Xbox 360 – $59.99 PC – $49.99

Valve shocked and surprised the world when they announced at this years E3 that they would be releasing Left 4 Dead 2 just a year after releasing the first game. No one knew this was coming and honestly Valve did an amazing job at keeping this under the radar of everyone. So how does a game that was in-production for only a year, if that, match up to it’s predecessor that was an instant hit and Game of the Year contender?

Pros

I’m So Pretty, O So Pretty – You can tell that valve made some improvements to their Source engine. Left 4 Dead 2 is a better looking game then its predecessor. Everything about it just looks better from the zombies, special infected, and levels. The updates also let the source engine do so much more. From the fire in the hotel to being in the middle of a hurricane in Louisiana *cough*Katrina*cough. There we some parts of the game where you really need to concentrate on what is going on around you because you will only have the light from your flashlight to guide you.

It’s A Home Run! – Left 4 Dead 2 brings the inclusion of melee weapons into the Left 4 Dead universe. Now instead of running around and pistol whipping zombies you can bash their brains in with an assortment of goodies. Baseball Bat, Crowbar, Electric Guitar, Katana, and a Chain saw are just some of the melee weapons included in the game. Now you really don’t have to worry about inflicting friendly fire onto your teammates because you are to busy running around with a katana slicing off zombies heads.

I’ll Have A Holy Bartender – More guns and more fire power are always a good thing when fighting off the on coming zombie apocalypse. Now you can Rambo your way through the on coming hordes of zombies with an AK-47, Combat Rifle, Grenade Launcher, and Incendiary & Explosive Ammo. But wait there’s more because now you can throw a Bile bomb (Boomer throw up) on zombies and they will attack each other.

Say Hello To My Little Special Friends – You know what they always say the more the merrier right? Well now we have three new special infected to welcome to the family. The Spitter, Charger, and Jockey will make you want to stick together with your team because wondering off can have deadly consequences. They also add a little more flavor to playing online because you aren’t going through three special infected over and over again.

I’m A Scavenger – The first Left 4 Dead featured a regular versus mode and then survival for it’s online multiplayer modes. Both of those game types challenged you as a player and team. Now Left 4 Dead 2 brings the introduction of Scavenge. Players go through three rounds with a time limit as they try to fill a generator with 16 gas cans. Each can you successfully pour into the generator your time is extend.

Cons

Lag You’re It – I don’t know if it’s an internal thing with Valves servers or something within the game, but there is a TON of lag while trying to play online. This doesn’t help when you are trying to run away from an on-coming zombie horde or playing as zombie trying to take out a survivor that got left behind. Getting hit with serious lag can make or break you winning a match or completing a campaign with your friends.

Same Old Problem, Same Old Game – Just like in the first game if a zombie hits you in your back as you are running it stops you completely. I’m sorry, but if I am going forward and someone punches me in the back I am not going to stop running to see what’s going on. No I am going to run even harder or it will give me a little added push.

Overall, Left 4 Dead 2 is everything I thought it would be. It does the first game justice and expands on the story. The inclusion of new weapons, melee weapons, special infected, and multiplayer modes will keep you coming back to this game until Valve surprises the world again and announces Left 4 Dead 3 at this years E3 (Not true). If you loved or enjoyed the first game then you will love or enjoy this one. Valve knows what they are doing and has never let me down with their decisions or directions they take their games. Even with it’s little problems Left 4 Dead 2 is definitely a buy because you never know when you might need a little trying in surviving the on-coming zombie apocalypse.

Hopefully we will learn how this mysterious outbreak happened or if both groups of survivors will ever meet and have to work together to survive again?

4 out of 5 stars

Two years ago the gaming world was turned upside down when Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was released. The game took both single player and multiplayer to new levels and continued to do so till this Tuesday. The release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has once again turned the gaming world is upside down.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Xbox 360, Playstation 3, & PC
1 Player/ Online Play
Developer: Infinity Ward
Publisher: Activision
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Price: $59.99 (Regular), $79.99 (Harden Edition), $149.99 (Prestige Edition)

Set 5 years after the events of the first Modern Warfare game, you are thrown into a world that is in even more turmoil. The events of the first game have caused a major fight for power and revenge and it’s your mission to stop these terrorist at all cost from destroying the world. �

Pros

Did That Really Just Happen? – The story of Modern Warfare 2 is filled with so many WTF moments that you are left speechless most of the time. Just like the first game you are given the story through multiple perspectives (Army Rangers and British Special Air Service (SAS). You are introduced to some new characters and have some old ones brought back into the fold which adds volume to the game. They also made it that if you didn’t finish the first game you might be a little lost in understanding the whole plot of what is going on which is extremely smart in making people go back and finish the first game so they can understand. Movie buffs will love the single player story because some of the chapters have a certain feel to them and will remind you of some classic movies.

Man Look At The Flower Over There It’s Beautiful – With an improved version of the IW engine the graphics within Modern Warfare 2 are stunning. The improvements to scenery, character models, and everything in-between honestly make this one of the best games to ever grace my eyes. I love the detail of the weapons and the inclusion of tracers so now if you are running through a fire fight you know where to go. However, I want to go back to the topic of scenery because it is rival to that of Uncharted 2. The folk’s over at Infinity Ward made it pretty hard to concentrate on surviving a fire fight because you are two busy staring at the world around you.

I Want My Kill Streak – Infinity Ward stated that they gave the Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer a shot of heroin and holy sh!t did they. You have two options with this. You can either play Spec Ops which is specially crafted missions you and three other teammates play to complete tasks or regular online play. Both give the game a long lasting appeal. I like the Spec Ops addition because it forces you to play along with others and work as a team to achieve star ratings.

However, the regular multiplayer was a staple for the first Modern Warfare and is what kept it in the top 5 games played online (PS3 & Xbox 360) for the past two years. Infinity Ward earned major points for the improvements they made with the multiplayer system. Players are now allowed to boost up perks, mix and match weapon attachments, and even create custom kill streaks. These additions put you more in control of the game then before and will keep you playing to unlock more. Plus, boosting the leveling cap to 70 will keep people playing to achieve the ability to prestige.

I’ll Take One Of Everything – You have some new toys to play with in this game, but it is mostly the attachments that steal the show. Some of the best are the heartbeat sensor and thermal scoop. Now when you don’t have a UAV to give you the enemies position you can just peak at the heartbeat sensor attached to your gun and see where they are. The thermal scoop will let you see the enemy through any smoke screen they might throw in front of you, but it won’t let you see through walls. Going back to the kill streaks in the multiplayer you will want to stay alive to try and achieve some of these. Having the ability to drop a nuke after 25 consecutive kills and end the game is a feat worth fighting for.

Cons

It Leaves You Wanting More– The single player campaign is short and leaves you wanting a little more. It will still take you 8+ hours to complete, but some of the missions seem a little to quick.

Overall, Modern Warfare 2 lived up to all the hype it built around it and then surpassed it. The game is stunning graphically and the story will leave you wanting more and thinking did that really just happen. Of course, just like its predecessor the game is built around its multiplayer experience. The new additions make it that much more fun to play. I know most people aren’t that big of fans of First Person Shooters or even war games, but honestly the single player story is amazing and has a movie-esk feel to it. Modern Warfare 2 will certainly be up there for Game of the Year if not win it.

5 out of 5

DJ Hero
Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation 2, & Nintendo Wii
2 Player/ Online Play
Developer: FreeStyleGames
Publisher: Activision
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Price: $119.99 (Regular Edition) $199.99 (Renegade Edition)

DJ Hero puts you behind the turntable to master some of the most popular mash-ups today. Following the playing logic behind Guitar Hero players have to tap buttons, scratch the turntables, and use the fader to keep the song going.

Pros

The Song Selection – I am not a big fan of mash-ups, but DJ Hero has some of the best mash-ups I have ever heard (“I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5 & “Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind is my favorite). Some songs will make you feel like you are the DJ sitting there scratching and fading the songs together, while others you just want to finish and move on to the next song. Also , it doesn’t hurt that some of the most popular DJ’s (Daft Punk, DJ Shadow, Grandmaster Flash, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ AM R.I.P) made exclusive mixes for this game.

Graphics – If you played Guitar Hero 5 then you already know what the graphics look like. The animations of the characters are detailed and coincide with the action needed to play the song. You will be impressed with the elaborate stages you perform on and mixture of turntables and headphones you can give your character. Also, the crowd animations give the stages that much needed club/rave feel.

Turntable & Guitar Mash-Ups – For some songs you can actually have a friend or someone online play with you using a guitar. Being able to really feel like you are working a mash-up gives the game a more realistic feel.

Medium Difficulty Will Challenge You – I love the fact that playing this game on the medium difficulty was a challenge for some songs. Usually you can run through a song on medium with no problems. With DJ Hero the constant fading between tracks can get crazy at times.

Middle Ground

The Controller – Just after a day of playing with the turntable controller some of the buttons were already sticking. Besides that the button placement is pretty perfect. All you need to do is keep your right hand on the turntable and the fader between two fingers on your left hand and you should be fine.

Cons

No DJ Left Behind – Probably the only real con to this game is that it has no fail. You can jump right in on expert and hit a few notes and don’t have to worry about failing. Let alone the fact that it also features a rewind option so say you miss a note or two you just need to spin the turntable backwards and you can re-try. I can understand the rewind option, but no fail I mean come on way to baby us.

Overall, DJ Hero is a fun experience and will keep you entertained for hours. Hell you might even find yourself looking to download some of the mixes and mash-ups featured in this game. However, the $120 price tag is a little steep. Usually Guitar Hero games cost around $90 dollars for the game and a controller. If you know someone who has it then get your ass over their and play it. Other then that the only reason you would want to cough up the $120 bucks is if you love mixing and mash-ups. The no fail factor of the game also takes a little fun out of it because you don’t need to work that hard to finish a song.

4 stars out of 5

The latest edition of the Smackdown series allows you to sit in the driver seat to all the story-lines within the WWE universe. Whether it’s your created Superstar or one of the many WWE wrestlers you are in control of their destiny.

Pros

Create This, Create That – WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 is very heavy on the creation side of things. From creating your own story angles to your dream matches, you can just about make anything possible. Some of the most in-depth creation within this game comes in the form of creating your own Superstar. From body type, features, designing your own logos and tattoos, to creating a special finisher just for your character will keep you occupied for hours alone.

Presentation – This is the first wrestling game I have played since Wrestlemania 2000 for the Nintendo 64. I was blown away by how smoothly everything flowed. From the movements of the wrestlers, ropes shaking when someone is slammed on the mate, to watching the crowed move and even camera flashes when big moves were executed nothing really seemed too slowed down or lag.

Character Models – Even in previous game clips and demos I played of older SmackDown vs. Raw games the character models never looked this detialed. You get the feeling that you are watching your favorite WWE Superstar in action. The designs on their clothing and even little things like tattoos and piercings are crisp and clear.

It’s An Online World – WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 allows you to share just about everything online. Superstars, created stories, and highlight reels can all be uploaded and viewed by the community. You can also see how you square off against people around the world in single, tag, and even Royal Rumble matches.

Middle Ground

Controls – The controls for this game are a little stiff. Most of the time they would be unresponsive or just doing whatever they wanted. Even after changing the battery in my controller I still had problems at random times. It was nothing major to affect the outcome of a match, but still pretty annoying.

Cons

Commentary – Just like any sports related game the commentary get’s old REAL fast. Let alone the fact that when I use to watch wrestling years ago I couldn’t stand Michael Cole and this game reminded me why.

Short Road To Wrestlemania – I know that you can go through the career option to gain a better experience, but I was kind of let down with how short the Road to Wrestlemania was. You can either go through one of the pre-created stories for wrestlers like Randy Orton, Mickie James, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, or your created Superstar. Each one ending after your match at Wrestlemania.

Overall, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 is one of the best wrestling games I have played. If you are a fan of this form of sports entertainment then I suggest you buy it because it will allow you to experience the WWE the way you want it. All the creation features alone make this a fun and entertaining experience for those who don’t even like wrestling. If you are looking for a weekend rental I suggest you pick this up because it will keep you busy creating characters and stories and is fun to play.

3.75 stars out of 5

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Playstation 3
1 Player/ Online Play
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Price: $59.99

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves continues the story of Nathan Drake. This time around he is talked into going after the long lost treasure the Cintamani stone which was said to be something Marco Polo was after. We follow Drake through Central Asia as he tries to stop a war criminal from reaching the Cintamani stone and the great power that comes with it.

Pros

The Story – The Uncharted series has a way of making certain historical legends exciting. You are honestly excited to see how the characters are intertwined with the treasure they are after and all the little pieces uncovered about past expeditions to find it. Through out the game you find yourself caring about some of the characters and even questioning the actions of others. Let alone the fact that you learn things about the legendary treasure you never would have taken the time out of your day to. I give Naughty Dog a lot of credit for making such an exciting game, but also teaching people of all age’s new things.

The Graphics – The first Uncharted game was visually stunning. You take time to stop playing the game and just look around at the vast landscapes. There is so much detail and color that you honestly might cry because of how beautiful the scenery is. Uncharted 2 is even more stunning especially with the help from the updated Naughty Dog engine.

Even the character detail has greatly improved since the first game. From facial expressions to overall character design you can tell a lot of time went into designing this game. Also, one of the most impressive things is that when your character swims or rolls in a puddle you will notice that their clothes have become wet and watch them dry off right before your eyes.

Multiplayer – This is something new to the franchise. Naughty Dog was looking to expand the users experience with the game and they have done so. You can spend hours upon hours playing. Uncharted 2 features two different types of multiplayer. First is the co-op side that allows three players to take over the roles of Nathan, Sully and Chloe. You and your teammates must work together to complete objectives and survive through missions.

The second type of multiplayer is the traditional type with features Deathmatch, Plunder, Elimination and Chain Reaction. Deathmatch pits two teams (Heroes vs. Villains) of five against each other to see who can reach 50 points first. Plunder is basically capturing the flag except with treasure. Elimination is deathmatch with no respawning and best 3 out of 5. Finally Chain Reaction is capture the flag except you must do so in order.

No More Sixaxis! – Uncharted 2 doesn’t feature the six-axis controls from the first game. That means no moving the controller up and down to arc your grenade throws and moving it left and right to balance on beams. Yes, that made the game more difficult, but it also got really annoying especially when you were in the middle of a gun fight and need a perfect grenade throw.

The Game Play – The only time you are not in control of your character is during the cut scenes. Other then that you are sneaking, running, gunning, and parkouring your way through the entire game. Those four elements are what make Uncharted 2 so much fun to play and even a little frustrating. They also play a vital role in completing it. You have to use all of your abilities to solve some puzzles that will unlock secret doors that will lead you that much closer to that treasure.

Cons

THERE ARE NONE!

Overall, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is one of the most entertaining, fun, and graphically stunning games I have ever played. You will spend hours finishing the main story and then hours playing multiplayer. Naught Dog did an amazing job at making you want to revisit this game again and again. If you own a Playstation 3 then you must own this game no ifs, ands, or buts. Uncharted 2 has just become the par for video game development.

5 out 5 Stars

Brütal Legend
Playstation 3 and Xbox 360
1 Player/ Online Play
Developer: Double Fine Productions
Publisher: Electronic Arts
ESRB Rating: M For Mature
Price: $59.99

Brütal Legend tells the story of roadie �Edward Riggs who is transported to a world instilled with everything Heavy Metal via his fathers magical belt buckle. The people of this world see Eddie as “The Chosen One” and enlist him to help rid them of �Lord Doviculus who has taken over their world. Through out your journey you will learn what happen to this world and even some things about Eddies lineage that make you question if he was sent here to help or destroy this world.

Pros

The Story – Come on this is a story by Tim Schafer we are talking about here. The man knows how to keep you entertained and laughing. Let alone the fact that it is a world based around Heavy Metal is pretty funny/awesome in itself. Mr. Schafer does an amazing job at working in as many heavy metal references one can think of.

The Cameos & Guest Appearances - Brütal Legend is filled with them and they honestly help make the game enjoyable. Most of them have been knows like Lemmy Kilmister, Rob Halford, Lita Ford, Tim Curry and Ozzy Osbourne. However, there are quite a few cameos through out the game involving some minor characters.

Character Designs – Aside from the guest appearances all the other character designs are interesting. Some of them make you feel like Tim Burton got metal drunk and they had a kid. The designs cover all types of metal giving you a little history ranging from hair metal, goth metal, and nü-metal. Even the non-human creatures have a Tim Burton feel to them.

Graphics – The world of Brütal Legend is absolutely stunning. The terrain all around you has some great detail in it and you can tell a lot of work into it. This is especially when driving around looking for side missions or even during your main missions.

Cons

Switching from Slasher to RTS – Every time this happened I was annoyed. You are running around slashing guys with your axe and calling lighting down from the sky with your sweet flying-V guitar and then next thing you know you are directing an army where to attack. Yes, you can still slash your way through enemies, but you still have to go back into RTS mode and call in reinforcements.

The RTS Multiplayer – When I heard that Brütal Legend was going to feature multiplayer I was excited. Then I went to actually go play it and became very disappointed. To my surprise the multiplayer is based around the RTS part of the game, which in itself is extremely frustrating. I mean honestly that is the best you can do? Brütal Legend has enough characters in it that they can feature a one-on-one fighting game, racing game, or even a straight rock off. Sorry, but dealing with the RTS part was enough for me in the game that I don’t feel like playing it over and over.

Story Length – The main story to Brütal Legend is pretty short and can be finished in day. That is if you don’t get caught up trying to get through the RTS missions (as you can tell I hate them). Once you finish the game you can free roam the world and finish any secondary missions you have left. However, they are nothing but little task that play no part into the main story. The only reason I can see going back and finishing them is if you are after achievements or trophies.

Overall, Brütal Legend is a pretty fun game while it last. The story, voice work, and design are the real foundation for this game. However, they aren’t enough to make you want to revisit this game once you finish it. It honestly seems like a game you rent or borrow from a friend and then never look back.

Tim Schafer created something amazing here, but it just comes off as a novelty.

3 out of 5 stars

The Halo franchise has been one of the biggest things to hit the gaming industry. It has a following that can match any other game that has been around since the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System). This past September 22^nd Bungie released the latest game within the franchise Halo 3: ODST.

Halo 3: ODST is the first game in the series not to feature Master Chief as the main protagonist. Instead you are given a story in the tone of Memento. You play as the Rookie on the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST) team as they are sent into New Mombasa, Africa to protect something. However, through out the game you take control of the other remembers of your squad as they regroup and make their way through the city. This allows you to gain the full experience of what happened to New Mombasa, Africa as the Covenant being their attack on Earth.

Pros

The Story – As I stated this is the first game not to feature Master Chief. Halo 3:ODST acts as the link between Halo 2 and Halo 3, while also getting you ready for the next installment in the series Halo: Reach (it’s a prequel to Halo). Let alone the fact that Memento is one of my all time favorite movies and they do an excellent job working with that formula. However, the constant switching between stories get’s pretty annoying.

The Voice Acting – ODST features members of the Firefly cast and one sexy Cylon filling in voice over roles. However, having Captain Hammer (Nathan Fillion) voice the group’s commanding officer is pretty awesome.

Firefight Mode – Yes, it is the same thing as Horde mode from Gears of War 2, but it is a well welcomed addition and experience to the Halo universe. Firefight mode allows you and three of your friends to see if you can endure 15 rounds of constant on coming Covenant attack.

Graphics – This is a double edged sword actually. The city of New Mombasa looks stunning even if it is under attack. My problems with the graphics are listed below.

The Middle Ground

Halo 3 Multiplayer – Halo 3: ODST came with an extra disk featuring only the Halo 3 online multiplayer mode. This was an added bonus seeing as how the only multiplayer features on ODST are co-op and firefight. I’m sure Bungie could have cooked up a multiplayer for ODST if they wanted too.

Cons

Story Length – As good of a story ODST has it is pretty short for a $60 game. You can honestly beat this game in a few hours if you just sit down and run through it.

Graphics – Halo 3: ODST is built on the same engine as Halo 3 which was released in 2007. With the advancements in most of the game engines used today one would figure that Bungie would at least update their Halo Engine.

Overall, Halo 3: ODST is an enjoyable game. It gives you a different experience to the Halo universe that has only seen Master Chiefs story and also fills in some holes within the overall story. The Halo 3 multiplayer alone is enough to keep anyone occupied with the game seeing as how the story is pretty shot. Plus, it’s an easy game if you are looking to boost up that achievement score of yours. However, with it basically being Halo 3 with a different coat of paint and no real multiplayer of its own I would say that Halo 3: ODST is a solid rent. Paying $60 dollars for a game you probably already own and/or beat isn’t worth it.