Blog Archives
‘Metro: Last Light’ Review
Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC // Genre: First Person Shooter
Platform Played: PlayStation 3
Developer: 4A Games // Publisher: Deep Silver
The Metro series is inspired by the critically acclaimed novel series of the same name, written by Russian author Dmitry Glukhousky, in 2002. Metro: Last Light is the sequel to the original 2010 released game Metro 2033, which was based entirely on the first novel in Glukhousky’s series. Last Light is different from the original game, as it takes inspiration from the book series and even Glukhousky himself helped with the game’s narrative, but it has no relation to the second novelisation. Developed by 4A Games, Last Light improves on many of the original’s shortcomings, providing an excellent experience that fans will enjoy. Metro: Last Light is a first person shooter that dares to be different. Although it doesn’t succeed 100% of the time, when it does these moments make Last Light stand out amongst its competition. Read the rest of this entry
Super Mario 3D Land Review
Mario takes a break from his New Super Mario Bros games and jumps back into the 3D world; and this time he’s back in a familiar title to original Gameboy owners. That’s right Mario makes his triumphant appearance on the 3DS with Super Mario 3D Land. Super Mario 3D Land is a combination of both 2D Mario gameplay with his modern home-console 3D world gameplay, or as game designer Shigeru Miyamoto says “a 3D Mario that plays as a 2D Mario game” (quote here). Playing Super Mario 3D Land is a fantastic experience especially for the elder Mario players who fondly remember his old 2D adventures. Super Mario 3D Land brings back many classic features from older Mario Bros games and integrates them into a way that makes them seem fresh and new so that all players can enjoy it.
Platform: 3DS/ Genre: Platformer
Developer: Nintendo/ Publisher: Nintendo
Thomas Was Alone Review
“A minimalist game about jumping and friendship” that is well worth your time…
Platform: PS3/Vita
Developer: Mike Bithell, Curve Studios Publisher: Bossa Studios
Genre: Puzzle/Platformer Platform Played: PS3
Never underestimate the power of storytelling. It can take us on extraordinary journeys, cause us to experience a huge range of powerful emotions — and in this case inexplicably invest us in characters that are essentially no more than differently shaped coloured blocks. While Thomas Was Alone is an intelligent, competent puzzle-platformer in its own right; it’s really the combination of its uplifting narrative, endearing personalities, ethereal score and unique gameplay that allow it to transcend its own limitations and become something more… something wonderful.
‘Dead Island: Riptide’ Review
Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC // Genre: Action Role-Playing
Platform Played: PlayStation 3
Developer: Techland // Publisher: Deep Silver
Dead Island: Riptide doesn’t feel like a fully fledged sequel to the original 2011 release; it feels more like an expansion on what the first game offered. With that being said, if you didn’t enjoy the original for whatever reason, chances are Riptide won’t sweeten you on the franchise. The original Dead Island had its problems, but above all, it offered a fun RPG experience, emphasising brutal melee combat and weapon customization. All of that is present Riptide, but the problem is that most of those original flaws are also here, alongside the fun that was originally provided. Techland has offered some new additions to the formula throughout, though nothing feels significant enough to separate Riptide from the original. What we have left, is something that feels very much the same as the franchises first outing. Techland missed their chance to really improve an enjoyable formula, instead choosing to ship Dead Island 1.5. Read the rest of this entry
‘Star Trek: The Game’ Review
Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC // Genre: Third Person Shooter
Platform Played: Xbox 360
Developer: Digital Extremes // Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
Star Trek: The Game is a movie tie-in, which usually means that the game has suffered its quality, in order to release the game in-line with its movie counterpart. Developed by Digital Extremes (Bioshock 2, The Darkness II), this entry gives us a brand new journey in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek universe. The voice actors from the films are here, the likeness of characters are here as well, and the game makes itself aware of events that occurred in the original 2009 film. Yet this movie tie-in doesn’t recount the plot of Star Trek: Into the Darkness, and, in-turn, isn’t held back by the events of its movie equivalent. With this in-mind, one would think that it had a chance to provide an excellent experience and be the exception to the movie tie-in rule. However, Star Trek: The Game feels like a rushed product filled with many technical problems that shows sparks of quality in an otherwise forgettable and frustrating experience. Read the rest of this entry
The AA Meeting Podcast Episode 35
The AA Meeting Podcast Episode 35
The AA Meeting is your weekly destination for all the biggest gaming news of the week.
This week Jamie takes you through the latest gaming news on his lonesome, we hear about Dead Island: Riptide, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, Star Trek: The Game and talk about news regarding Grand Theft Auto V, Watch_Dogs release date, Wii U is hacked, FUSE still exists, Borderlands 2 DLC and much more!
Jamie Briggs manages Analog Addiction and you can like them on Facebook, follow his daily life on Twitter @JamieAA and his videos on YouTube.
‘Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge’ Review
Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 // Genre: Hack ‘ N’ Slash
Platform Played: Xbox 360
Developer: Team Ninja // Publisher: Tecmo Koei
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge is an unusual beast, with Ninja Gaiden 3 originally releasing in 2012 to generally negative reviews. When Wii U launched late last year, Nintendo fans were greeted to this “Definitive version” of Ninja Gaiden 3 which hoped to aid the many issues that plagued the original release. Bring us to April 2013 and this updated version of the original game is now making its way back to current generation consoles, you still with me? Read the rest of this entry
Zeno Clash II – Review
Platform: PC (XBLA and PSN versions are TBD) Genre: First-Person Action Brawler
Developer: ACE Team Publisher: Atlus
Zeno Clash II is a pretty eccentric game, but while it tries to be different, this whole brawl-focused outlandish sequel is more of a snooze-fest. And a bad one at that.
‘Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon’ Review
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Genre: Puzzle
Developer: Next Level Games
Publisher: Nintendo
Spec Ops: The Line – A Second Opinion
The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and sand… lots and lots of sand.
Adrift in a sea of military shooters you’d be forgiven for being skeptical, or maybe even dismissing Yager’s Spec Ops: The Line as just another mindless war game. But despite its generic title and outward appearance, beneath its surface lies a harrowing tale that takes players on an emotional, psychological journey through the dark reality of war. Where there are no good choices and men are forced to act in the face of impossible circumstances and live with the consequences of their decisions.
Welcome to Dubai…
Eric Pepper
Frank Margarella
Hugh Simmonds
Jamie Briggs
Nathan Manning
Robbie Key
Rob Gisbey
Jaime "Paco" Sifontes
Jideobi Odunze
George Sinclair
Michael.Troina
Vlad Pintea
