CeX Review - Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

“Considered in the Eastern community as one of the greatest RPG series of all time, does Monster Hunter have enough firepower to bring Europe and the US over as well? If this game is anything to go by, then absolutely.”

Click here to read my review.

CeX Review - Luigi's Mansion

“Luigi casts Mario aside and grabs adventure head on in this spectacular sequel to one of the GameCube’s most popular titles. He may not be the bravest guy but Luigi proves once again why he is the perfect protagonist for a comical horror game.”

Click here to read my review. 

CeX Review - Bioshock Infinite

"Bioshock returns with its traditional and atmospheric gameplay in a brand new and extravagant world. An in depth story and terrific character development make this not only the most intriguing instalment of the series but quite possibly one of the best told sci-fi narratives of recent memory.”

Click here to read my review.

CeX Review - God of War: Ascension

Click here to read my review.

CeX Review - Crysis 3

 
Click here to read my review.

CeX Review - Aliens: Colonial Marines

Click here to read my review.

CeX Review - Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

Click here to read my review.

CeX Review - Dead Space 3

 Click here to read my review.

CeX Review - DmC: Devil May Cry

Click here to read my review.

Captain Hindsight on the 2012 Game of the Year List

 

Hello and thank you for taking the time to check out my first blog post of 2013! 2012 was a great year for both gaming and myself, culminating in a fantastic list of titles that brought hours upon hours of entertainment to gamers worldwide. I think it’s most important to really acknowledge that considering we are right at the end of the longest generation of consoles, developers like Ubisoft, Bethesda and Konami continue developing and producing AAA titles for this generation while working secretly on new projects with new hardware. Back on topic however, tradition states that I take another look at my list of 2012’s top 10 games and reconsider my choices through the power of hindsight, so let’s crack on!

The original top 10:

10] Resident Evil 6

09] Hitman: Absolution

08] Dishonored

07] Far Cry 3

06] Mass Effect 3

05] Journey

04] The Walking Dead

03] ZombiU

02] Max Payne 3

01] Borderlands 2

Last year I made a few amendments to my list and shuffled some stuff around, but to be perfectly honest I am very happy with the games I’ve chosen. The only title I look at on that list and question it’s position is Zombi U. There’s no doubt in my mind that Ubisoft’s Wii U exclusive is a fantastic title that brings to the table a type of horror the industry has been missing for a few years now, but is it really better than all the other titles on that list? The answer is probably no, as a technical achievement it is sub-par to every game on that list bar Resident Evil 6, so perhaps the list should have looked like this:

10] Resident Evil 6

09] Zombi U

08] Hitman: Absolution

07] Dishonored

06] Far Cry 3

05] Mass Effect 3

04] Journey

03] The Walking Dead

02] Max Payne 3

01] Borderlands 2

There you go, that sits considerably better in my book!

Now let’s have a quick look at some of the games I completely overlooked from the list. Those of you who know me will understand why the likes of FIFA 13, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Assassin’s Creed III failed to make the list – they are undoubtedly big sellers but they are not what I’d consider new products for the industry. Titles like the aforementioned are the reason developers choose to restrict their creativity and as a result, stifle the industry. When a developer produces an idea and requires financial backing, it’s unsurprising that investors will be looking for a guaranteed profit and games that mimic big hitters are more likely to get the go-ahead to be created. This is completely understandable but simultaneously a serious issue in the industry and that’s why online sites like Kickstarter are so awesome because some of our favourite independent developers can accumulate funds to create games that wouldn’t necessarily get funding from big investors.

As for 2012 itself, overall it was an impressive year for gaming. Aside from a quality top 10 list the fighting genre was pretty much completely resurged thanks to Street Fighter x Tekken, Tekken and Dead or Alive 5 – considering it was a dying genre fighting fans have a massive thank you to give to Capcom because Street Fighter IV started this whole new revival.

2012 also saw the release of Sony’s PlayStation VITA. This slick new handheld boasted incredible potential with PlayStation 3-like graphics, cross-play functionality with Sony’s home console and a bunch of AAA titles spawning from hits like Assassin’s Creed and Call of Duty. Unfortunately the VITA has failed to take off due to perhaps the high price tag or maybe the lack of any original content on the machine. Sony were trying to give gamers home console games on the move and perhaps what they’ve realized is gamers want mobile and handheld games on the move and home console titles for just that, their homes. It’s a strange argument but the massive popularity of the Nintendo DS and all subsequent aiterations suggests there’s a very specific style of game people want to play on the move and the VITA lacks those games. Let’s not also forget that App gaming has proven to be an unstoppable force with games coming out for as little as 69p – why would anyone pay £34.99 instead?

Nintendo were definitely the hardware kings of 2012 as their new 3DSXL hit store shelves back in August. With a beautiful new screen, increased size and battery life, this was definitely the way portable gaming should be experienced if you wanted a dedicated handheld gaming device. A host of cool titles like New Super Mario Bros. 2, Paper Mario and Resident Evil: Revelations all made the 3DSXL a worthy console for gamers to purchase this year, especially those who waited and didn’t buy the first 3DS (me!).

Then of course came the start of the next generation of home consoles. Nintendo finally released the Wii U, which can only be described as a giant HD DS experience. Boasting superior power to the Wii, Nintendo’s new machine now competes on the same level as the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 while providing an intriguing GamePad that innovates and recreates how you play games. While still in its early phases little can be said about the Wii U other than currently, I’m really enjoying the machine. What will happen when Microsoft and Sony’s new consoles come out I can only guess but logically speaking those machines are going to be super powerful and in terms of that alone, will blow the Wii U out of the water. However, Nintendo have never been about powerful hardware and their success is always been reliant on their amazing games. Ultimately if developers support the Wii U the machine will be a resounding success.

What does 2013 have in store for us? Hopefully at E3 in June Microsoft and maybe even Sony will unveil their new consoles and perhaps by the holiday season of ’13 we might even be able to get our hands on them. If you want something a little closer to look forward to, big titles like Dead Space 3, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Devil May Cry and Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch are all big hitters coming out in the first quarter of 2013.

So there you have it guys and girls – I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed reading my content in 2012 and look out for further articles this year. Remember; let’s enjoy gaming after all, that’s what it’s about!

Game of the Year 2012 - Borderlands 2

I introduce to you, 2012's game of the year.

It’s been a long list of very impressive titles but we’ve finally made it to the number 1 spot. This game beat every one else to the punch as the most enjoyable, the most content-rich and one of the most visually stunning games of 2012. The game I’m talking about is none other than Borderlands 2.

This cast of characters is AWESOME.

Fun is simply not a word we use to describe games anymore. If you look at how people discuss games you’ll see people pointing to graphics, narrative, story, controls and while all these things do need to culminate to form a game, if I were to tell you that a title is simply a whole load of fun, it would be hard not give it a go and find out if you agree with me or not.

Building upon the fantastic predecessor, Borderlands 2 continues on as an action first-person shooter role-play game (breathes in). Crossing genres was always part of Borderland’s appeal, especially when it’s done this well. Players travel in groups looking for loot and taking down groups of enemies while constantly leveling up, upgrading weapons, unlocking new skills and progressing as a unit.

Beautiful visuals intertwine with a wonderful story.

Borderlands 2 is obviously at its best when played with human companions. Getting a group together and exploring Pandora leads to an extraordinary amount of content to cover. Pandora has now been expanded and is full of side quests, treasures, secrets as well as the campaign story. When games expand so significantly there’s always the danger of the title losing life and character. This couldn’t be any further from the truth here in Borderlands 2 as Pandora bustles with life like never before. In fact some of the most enjoyable and humorous moments of Borderlands 2 comes in the form of amazing AI characters you meet along the way.

The most enjoyable co-op game of 2012 by a mile.

There’s always been something especially rewarding about collecting and upgrading. That constant click and reward psychology behind leveling up makes it very difficult to put down the controller and stop playing Borderlands 2. With an almost unlimited amount of weapons just begging to be found across the very different classes available, you’ll be spending a whole load of time trying to find the very best gear to make sure you’re the baddest Vault Hunter this side of Pandora.

Borderlands 2 is easily the most rewarding video game experience of 2012. Very few games will have you so invested in not just the game, but the friends you are playing with. Borderlands 2 demands your attention and you will be organizing times when all of your buddies can get online at once so you can continue on with your quest on Pandora. Borderlands 2 brings together hilarious narrative, well-structured and finely paced gameplay all onto a world full of life and character. This is the game to play this holiday period and it is the game of 2012, why? On top of the aforementioned, it’s just so much fun.

Enjoy the best game of 2012.

GOTY 2012 #02 - Max Payne 3

Max is a one of the most celebrated modern characters in the industry.

So close now! What game just fell narrowly short of being crowned the best game of 2012? Well that title belongs to none other than Rockstar’s Max Payne 3.

When I heard Max Payne was being remade my ears perked up and I was ready to listen – I was intrigued, I wanted to know what was going to happen to one of my most beloved childhood franchises. Upon learning that Rockstar took development under their wing I immediately felt a sigh of relief and I did nothing more than wait for what was undoubtedly going to be a special game in 2012.

Battling his demons and kicking ass, all in a days work.

So what made Max Payne 3 so special that it sits higher than so many games on this list? Let’s begin by looking at the story and narrative, something that traditionally Rockstar are renown for. When someone asks me “what was the best video game story of 2012?” my immediate response is Max Payne 3. Rockstar did the most incredible job bringing a thought provoking and intriguing story to life as Max Payne battled his demons and overcame the hardships of his past life. You’re literally put into the shoes of Max, seeing what he sees and listening to what he thinks about the people around him and the society they live in. His prehistoric look on modern society is amusing and simultaneously sad as you feel like an aging dinosaur is no longer welcome in this modern world.

Fortunately things go from bad to well, downright terrible for Max and the chaos is where unfortunately he finds himself most at home. When the action begins and the boozing stops, Max goes on a hunt for revenge that slowly re-awakens the demons Max was trying so desperately to hide. This unraveling story is a joy to behold and even more fun to experience first-hand. Rockstar wanted this to be a new chapter in Max Payne’s life and the first hour or so almost have you believing that despite the alcoholism, Max is living in the present with his new job far away from New York City, however when trouble comes knocking, Max simply can’t stay away.

Is there anything more fun than Bullet Time?

In typical Rockstar fashion, this phenomenal storyline is intertwined with fantastic third-person shooting action that sees Max acquire a host of cool weapons and blast his way through hordes of enemies. Bullet Time makes a triumphant return giving Max an edge on the battlefield where he constantly finds himself outmanned and outgunned. Some fantastic set-piece scenarios are spread across an engaging and challenging campaign mode that will certainly provide hours of entertainment and fun.

I think ultimately it’s just a testament to how good Rockstar are as a development team. Their games are of the highest quality and it wouldn’t have taken a rocket scientist to at least guess Max Payne 3 was going to be at minimum, a very good game. What we didn’t see coming was an almost perfect combination of story-telling and gameplay that merged together to form 2012’s most engaging narrative, one that was almost impossible to stop playing through. Let Max Payne 3 reel you in because you’ll be in for an absolute treat. Max Payne 3 is deservedly the second best game of 2012. 

Nostalgia overload.

GOTY 2012 #03 - Zombi U

Traditional horror arrives on a brilliant new console.

We’ve made it to final 3 but what games have come this far? A long list of games could have potentially found their way onto this list but my reasoning and logic really emphasized the importance of new, innovative and cooperative games, which provided fun and long-lasting appeal for the gamer. A video game is a fantastic medium for creating fascinating ways to engage people and the top 3 titles do just that and more.

The third best game of 2012 goes to the Wii U exclusive Zombi U. Initially receiving poor domestic reviews this survival-horror game exploded onto the continental scene with massive scores from credited European journalists – and so the infection began.

I purchased a Wii U on launch, the Zombi U limited edition pack to be precise and have not looked back since (expect looking over my shoulder for any zombies while I rummage through my backpack.) In all seriousness, Zombi U is a fantastic step forward for gaming while simultaneously paying tribute to the classic survival-horror franchise that has seemed destined to die this generation.

One bite and you're a goner -- join the zombie party.

Zombi U plays a lot like a mix between Condemned: Criminal Origins and Left 4 Dead. Set in the heart of London (which is an absolute treat for us UK gamers), you are expected to survive the apocalypse and find safety throughout London’s infected streets, sewers and buildings. Players carry a rucksack with their inventory items including weapons, supplies and tools – all of which play an important role in survival. The problem is that you feel very vulnerable in this game, with one bite being enough to kill you.

Fortunately every time you die you respawn as another survivor with the immediate mission of going to find your previous rucksack with all your goodies. Of course getting there without any of your supplies is scary and often dangerous, once again invoking those traditional survival horror roots we all love and fear.

Zombi U does a wonderful job giving players enough freedom to explore London while at the same time keeping them on track using an anonymous character known as the Prepper to point you in the right direction. With the constant threat of zombies lurking around every corner, this is a tense and dramatic affair, something that no game has offered effectively this year.

A tense and terrifying affair.

Let’s not forget also that this is a Wii U exclusive and that beautiful Wii U GamePad is used in an engaging and interesting manner. Players bring up their inventory screen on the pad, as well as their map and motion detector. Scoped weapons use the bottom screen to help players zoom in for that clean head shot while a scanning system is also available allowing players to explore their surroundings and flag points of interest. The constant need to simultaneously pay attention to both screens makes Zombi U a nerve-racking affair as you simply don’t know when when you have a safe moment for respite.

Zombi U is the perfect adult-orientated Wii U exclusive title that every single Wii U owner must purchase and every single fan of survival horror must experience. This nostalgic trip intertwined with modern gaming elements combines to make another golden title from Ubisoft and deservedly sits as number 3 on my list of 2012’s best games. Nintendo stated that the Wii U will provide new gaming experiences and Zombi U does just that and it’s this reasoning why Ubisoft’s title finds it’s place here.

What an awesome ad campaign.

GOTY 2012 #04 - The Walking Dead

The nightmare from a different perspective.

As we move ever closer to the number 1 spot I can’t help but awe in admiration regarding the high quality of the titles on this list so far. Many have argued that this year has been very weak for the gaming industry but I believe that considering we’re so close to a new generation of gaming, it’s an absolute testament that developers are still producing games of such a high standard for current generation machines.

Following Journey number 4 is another downloadable title, The Walking Dead: Video Game. This point-and-click adventure deserves a mass amount of praise for the astonishing content it has provided for such a low price and the incredibly high quality delivery through the classic point-and-click medium.

It's just as bloody and brutal as the comics and TV series.

The Walking Dead is spread across 5 episodes and soon to be available on a compilation disc. Set during the same chronological period as the zombie apocalypse in the comics, this story centers around Lee Everett as he tries to survive this modern nightmare and help those he encounters throughout his journey. Fans of the TV show and comics alike will absolutely adore this wonderful take on the series, with some characters overlapping in-game and some environments reminiscent from the show too.

Every decision tugs at your heart-strings.

You will begin noticing a theme in the games I have chosen – The Walking Dead once again just like Journey, emphasizes story and character development over gameplay. Players will naturally find themselves bonding with groups of survivors and characters they meet and then in the most unfair of circumstances Telltale Games puts players in heart-breaking scenarios where they are forced to make deep and meaningful decisions that play upon their emotions. This type of gameplay makes for a refreshing change to mindless shooting and killing and as a result, deeply invests you as a gamer.

The Walking Dead uses your decisions and changes the gaming experience based upon how you play out the story. This leaves plenty of gameplay interpretation and replay value for those of you wanting to find out what various different ways the game can pan out.

Harsh emotional tone with brilliant narrative and dialogue makes The Walking Dead: Video Game one of the most unique and mesmerizing games of 2012. Very few games can compare and it’s wonderful to see the point-and-click genre making a come back. I keep emphasizing that we are constantly being bombarded by generic video game titles that are mind numbing at best so when a game of this kind of quality and diversity comes around, it’s difficult not to pay attention and see what the fuss is all about. The Walking Dead is a brilliant game and deserves the number 4 spot on my list. 

The nightmare will continue on...

GOTY 2012 #05 - Journey

A unique experience in the video game industry.

The illustrious top 5 titles of 2012 – how exciting! This year has seen some very impressive technical achievements flourish in the video game industry, but the next 5 games shone above the rest and are each in their own way, innovators moving this mode of entertainment to new heights previously unexplored in gaming.

Look how beautiful this is, I mean just, wow.

The PlayStation Network exclusive Journey starts our top 5 countdown, providing a unique, emotional and thought provoking experience unlike any other this year. Journey tells the silent tale of a mysterious traveler as they try and reach a beautiful mountaintop in the distance. Providing little in terms of gameplay or story, Journey was intended by the developers Thatgamecompany to “evoke in the player a sense of smallness and wonder, and to forge an emotional connection between them and the anonymous players they meet along the way.”

Indeed those of you who have not played Journey may be asking, “what kind of game is it?”, and truth be told, that’s a very difficult question to answer. If you broke it down Journey is a puzzle exploration game but it’s impossible not to experience the deeper levels of this mesmerizing title as you meet other players along your journey and explore some of the most beautiful environments the industry has ever seen.

A mysterious and majestic lead character.

Coupled with stunning visuals Journey’s story is told through the medium of music. A beautiful ballad follows your character as you move deeper and deeper into the heart of the desert while communication between yourself and players is limited to serene singing. Somehow without any form of direct communication, players establish partnerships and help each other complete objectives without once ever doing anymore than whistling a tune or performing a jig – a truly magical feeling that you must experience.

Some have complained that Journey has a severe lack of gameplay and should be defined as an artistic venture as opposed to a video game. While this is to an extent a reasonable comment to make for those expecting more interaction, it would also be fair to retort by stating that Thatgamecompany never intended to create that type of game and what they were trying to achieve had to be performed through this artistic medium. Whatever side of the fence you choose to sit on, it’s absolutely undeniable that Journey is visually stunning, blissful on the ears and a joy to experience. This is unlike anything you’ve played this year and as a result, thoroughly deserves praise as one of 2012’s absolute finest title. 

Explore a wonderful world with a silent friend -- a vivid and surreal experience.

GOTY 2012 #06 - Mass Effect 3

Mass Effect 3 concludes the series in fantastic fashion.

We’ve almost reached the half-way mark in this year’s list of the very best games, but what title narrowly missed the top 5? The critically acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy concluded in March and certainly provided plenty of action and at times, discontent amongst fans.

Whatever you thought about Mass Effect 3, it was undeniably one of the best role-play games of not only this year, but of this generation of gaming. Critics showered Bioware’s futuristic adventure stating that it possessed one of the most impressive stories in the history of the medium and coupled with extensive gameplay and customization features; it was truly a force to be reckoned with.

Now that's a serious invasion.

Unfortunately Mass Effect 3 lacked accessibility and failed to stand up as its own game. Indeed players were expected to at minimum have played Mass Effect 2 and this was further pushed as an incentive by allowing players to download and incorporate their save from the previous game to Mass Effect 3. For fans of the series this was an absolute delight, all the moral decisions that they made from the previous games were re-created in Mass Effect 3, making the world believable and visibly changing place completely dictated by your actions. Those who wanted to give Mass Effect 3 a go and didn’t fancy spending around 100 hours catching up with the previous games were left confused by Mass Effect’s complicated world, story and ideals while at the same time having little emotional investment in the main character because at this point, he / she was nothing more than a blank canvas.

A wonderful assortment of races comprise Mass Effect's world.

Normally you would assume that a game ending in the number 3 would be tailored for fans of the series and the aforementioned were truly treated to a spectacle. With the galaxy on the verge of war, it was up to Shepherd to establish effective military strength (EMS) by completing missions and allying with other races and planets to fend off the Reapers. The story was emotional, dramatic and full of interesting twists, of which you have control over.

Then comes Mass Effect’s fantastic gameplay mechanics, which emphasized third-person shooting and cover based shooting for modernized gaming. Despite leaning towards a conventional style of play, the different classes, weapon customization and power-ups gave players the opportunity to create a varied and unique character and partnering them with a group of engaging and powerful comrades. There weren’t as many allies in the third instalment as the others, but this was designed to further your emotional connection with the group, creating once again, some very difficult decisions throughout your time with Mass Effect 3.

I personally don’t see how the third instalment in the Mass Effect series could have simultaneously appeased it’s fan base and became an entry-level title, so for me, this wasn’t a justified criticism. People who bought Mass Effect 3 knew exactly what they were getting themselves into, a completely engrossing world full of life and character. It’s the series’ remarkable progression from an average role-play game, to a great role-play game and now a pinnacle benchmark for the genre that is so incredibly impressive. Mass Effect 3 was a technical masterpiece and it’s games like these that the video game industry should be known for. 

Say what you will, the variety of endings made for thrilling playthroughs of an already exciting game.

GOTY 2012 #07 - Far Cry 3

A dark and twisted fantasy, Far Cry 3 is an absolute joy.

 

Welcome back to our countdown of 2012’s finest video games! Number 7 was developed by arguably the most successful and popular developer of 2012, Ubisoft. Whatever they seem to release turns out to be absolute gold, it’s truly impressive. The same wonderful praise applies to Far Cry 3, which is an immersive, twisted and dark first-person shooter that takes you places you would never want to go.

Shots now, stabbed later -- great party guys.

Far Cry 3 tells a very mature and gruesome story about a group of friends who accidentally find themselves on a pirate infested island when sky diving on holiday. A fun trip quickly goes sour and it’s your role to rescue your friends and eliminate those who have harmed the ones you care for. But how does a normal person who’s never been involved in any type of dangerous situation suddenly go about murdering a group of pirates and more importantly, how does one drive himself to do something so inconceivable to his fellow man?

What is so brilliant and simultaneously twisted about Far Cry 3’s story is the emphasis on the protagonist’s transformation from a regular guy to a killer. Real concentration is placed upon his emotional stability and it’s clear as you progress through Far Cry 3, Jason goes from a boy scared of survival, to a man who will do anything to complete his goal. When we debate about whether children can play games that are rated higher than their age, this is a prime example of a title that requires emotional maturity to be able to step into the shoes of a regular man and go through a transformation that feels, scarily believable.

Far Cry 3 introduces one of this year's most demented new characters.

Of course this terrifying story is intertwined in very special and enthralling gameplay. It takes a lot for a shooter to stand out in a modern market flooded with shooting games, but Far Cry 3 delivers a stunning environment that really helps expand your gaming experience. Ubisoft created an open world for players to explore and exploit when taking down forts of enemies. You have the option of deciding how you want to plan your movements and attacks, giving this shooter a real sand box feel. A host of cleverly devised role-play elements like experience points, skill trees and a crafting system make Jason’s physical progression as well as his emotional progression, apparent.

Ultimately Far Cry 3 stands out because of a terrific combination of story telling, gameplay and progression. It’s a higher-level first person shooter, one that provides more than simple run and gun gameplay. As a result it’s difficult not to be invested in Jason’s plight to save his friends, kill his enemies and get off that wretched island. Far Cry 3 is a wonderful game and rightfully deserves its number 7 spot on our list. If you’re looking for a shooter this holiday period, look no further than Far Cry 3.

The industry needs most games like this and more characters like Vaas.