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.”

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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

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CeX Review - Gears of War: Judgment

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

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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 #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 #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.

GOTY 2012 #08 - Dishonored

What a bad ass, I mean look at this guy seriously.

Hello and welcome back as I continue with another title to grace my list of 2012’s best games! Number 8 is actually a title from a video game developer that I don’t, like … gasp! That’s right I said it, I don’t like Bethesda, I don’t like the Elder Scrolls series and I certainly did not like Skyrim! This made me the perfect candidate to play Dishonored (I promised myself not to be bias) because I didn’t have rose-tinted ‘I love Skyrim’ goggles on during my play-through.

Surprisingly however, Dishonored was a magnificent title that took just about everything I didn’t like about Bethesda’s pervious outings, removed them and added just about everything I love about role-play games and as a result, comes in hot at number 8!

The environments and artistic direction are absolutely stunning.

So what made Dishonored so special? You could point to the absolutely stunning visual concept intertwining Victorian England with an industrial Steampunk style. Or perhaps the incredible voice acting and narrative that filled out this intriguing tale? It could also have been the entertaining and diverse combat system, or the multiple ways to tackle the game forcing different endings. Finally, it could just have been the plain and simple fact that Dishonored is a brand new IP and during a year full of games ending in the numbers 2 and 3, it’s always a breath of fresh air to see something new emerge in the video game industry.

Out of the aforementioned it was perhaps most surprising to see how developed Dishonored’s combat mechanics were, especially considering games like Skyrim had absolutely none whatsoever (I’m just gonna keep mashing right trigger in front of this fire-breathing DRAGON and when my health gets low I’ll pause MID-COMBAT and drink a potion, cool. Takes notes from Demon’s and Dark Souls Bethesda please. Still not bias!). The entire of Dishonored could be played with a Metal Gear-esque non-lethal approach, knocking out enemies and opting for one of the more rewarding endings available. Or there was of course the brutal variant, but whichever you choose the supplementing supernatural powers are what really stood out in Dishonored.

I still don't know what these things are but damn they're scary.

Resembling Bioshock’s plasmids, you had the ability to summon swarms of rats, use the elements or even perform bodily possession to force guards into battle with one-another. There were so many awesome ways to mix and match how you wanted to progress through Dishonored and this gave Bethesda’s title a significant amount of replay value, which was needed considering it was quite small in comparison to other offerings like Elder Scrolls. But this wasn’t a bad thing at all; in fact slimming down the game makes for a much better and more concentrated experience.

Dishonored was simply a great example of what happens when all the core elements of a video game align successfully. Even if one piece of the puzzle is wrong it can potentially ruin the whole experience but Dishonored provided excellent gameplay intertwined in a thoroughly enjoyable and diverse world. Congratulations Bethesda, this time you get a massive thumbs up from me.

I want to see more games like this Bethesda.

GOTY 2012 #09 - Hitman: Absolution

 

Agent 47 returns in splendid fashion.

Hello and welcome back as I continue the countdown towards the best game of 2012! With Resident Evil 6 opening our list the standards are already pretty high. In at number 9 to pip Capcom’s action horror adventure is the ever-popular Agent 47 in Hitman: Absolution.

Absolution is literally one of the last high profile titles to have been released in 2012 and what a monster of a game it turned out to be. Packing an impressive storyline, narrative and gameplay mechanics, this welcome divergence from the generic first-person shooter made gamers leap for joy as they were forced to strategize every move, learn their environments and come up with a variety of unique and sometimes horrific ways to assassinate their targets.

Disguises play a massive role to keep Agent 47 hidden.

The truly impressive thing about Hitman: Absolution was how the developers IO Interactive really stayed true to the original Hitman formula, just adding enough new content and additional gameplay elements to modernize what was already a really impressive set of foundations for a video game. The introduction of Instinct Mode gave Agent 47 heightened senses to learn about his surroundings, while Point Shooting gave our assassin precise accuracy should the need arise for open conflict. IO Interactive also made sure Agent 47 interacted with the environments much more naturally, now being able to use cover and weave his way around surroundings.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Hitman: Absolution was the awesome Contracts mode. This allowed players to participate in custom missions created by other gamers. Players focused on achieving the fastest times and the highest scores just like in the campaign, but these user-created scenarios were a whole load of fun to participate in and create too.

Sexy nun trailer that pissed everyone off -- awesome.

It was also nice to see a development company not shy away from a steep difficulty curve. On the easier settings Hitman: Absolution was fairly simple, guards had poor reaction times and there were way less of them. Ramp the difficulty level up however and you’re in for a serious battle. Hitman: Absolution was no walk over in the slightest when it came to its hardest difficulty settings and this had the potential to test even the most hardcore of gamers.

Hitman: Absolution was the perfect sequel to Hitman: Blood Money and it provided the perfect balance between familiar and new content for fans of the series and newcomers looking to dip their toe in for the first time. Hitman: Absolution was an experience unlike any other this year, providing challenging, interesting and thought-provoking gameplay that shouldn’t be missed by anyone who calls themselves a gamer. Well done IO Interactive, you’ve placed number 9 in our list of the best games of 2012!

The future is bright for Hitman after such a wonderful return.