The Game Reaper
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Red Dead
Redemption
Publisher: Rockstar
ESRB rating: Mature
Availability: PS3, XBOX360
“Red
Dead Redemption” is the follow-up to Rockstar’s 2004 release “Red Dead
Revolver”. It is also possibly the most difficult game title to say three times
fast. “Red Dead Redemption” is an old west action epic that follows former
outlaw John Marston on a mission to hunt down his former outlaw friends in
exchange for the release of his family. Along with the main storyline, the game
also features a massive open-world environment to explore and countless side
missions to take part in.
Unfortunately the massive open-world environment features a glitch behind every cactus. Finding glitches is practically a game in itself. I have not yet encountered one that actually interrupts gameplay, but the overwhelming number of them detracts from what is otherwise a fun, beautiful game. Despite this “Red Dead Redemption” is an outstanding game has enough playable content to keep gamers glued to the TV indefinitely.
The Good: Authentic old west feel, huge amount of playable content, terrific graphics.
The Bad: unrelenting glitches detract from gameplay, voice acting and dialogue is weak.
The Fear Factor: Filled with old west hyper-violence tempered by innocuous cattle herding fun.
Overall Rating: 8 out of 10 buzzard-ravaged desert corpses
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Heavy
Rain
Publisher: Sony
ESRB rating: Mature
Availability: PS3
I am not sure if “Heavy Rain” actually
qualifies as a video game but it is awesome beyond a doubt. “Heavy Rain” is
better thought of as an interactive movie or a choose-your-own-adventure game.
The backdrop is a gritty crime drama in which four characters are separately
hunting down a serial killer. Players control the progress of the game mostly by
following prompts on the screen that control the dialogue and the action of the
characters. Decisions made by players during gameplay affect the evolution of
the story, even to the point that the playable characters can die.
A game like this demands exceptional graphics, story, and voice acting. “Heavy Rain” delivers on every count. It also features an eerily wonderful soundtrack that injects emotion into every segment of the story. The prompts require fast fingers and will require some getting used to, but this unique gaming experience is worth the effort.
The Good: Novel gaming experience, fantastic story and voice acting.
The Bad: Slow buildup, only available for the PS3.
The Fear Factor: Creepy throughout.
Overall Rating: 8 out of 10 inches of rain
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God of
War 3
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
ESRB rating: M
Availability: PS3
It’s here! The long-awaited arrival of the “God
of War” series to the PS3 is finally upon us! Unfortunately it is also the
definitive end of the “God of War” epic. Kratos, the protagonist of the series,
was promoted to god of war in the original game when he killed an out-of-control
Aries. In “God of War II” Kratos was betrayed by Zeus and began his quest for
revenge. “God of War III” picks up exactly where the previous game left off,
with Kratos and the Titans attacking Mount Olympus.
In the first level players get a sample of what they can expect from the rest of the game: expansive and living environments that require both hacking and (easy) puzzle solving to survive. The level design uses all of the power of the PS3 to create realistic textures and lighting effects. Although the gameplay is nothing new, Kratos does have access to new weapons and magic that makes God of War III a novel experience. Sadly, although all of the loose ends are tied up, the storytelling is lackluster and unsatisfying.
God of War I & II were among the best games ever released for the PS2 and God of War III is a worthy conclusion to the saga. Of note, the recently released “God of War: Collection” contains both of the original games remastered in HD for the PS3.
The Good: same great gameplay as predecessors, outstanding visual effects.
The Bad: storyline not so compelling, only available on PS3.
The Fear Factor: Violent but not scary.
Overall Rating: 8 out of 10 plunges into Hades
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