Ninja Gaiden 2
Platforms: Xbox 360 – Developer/Publisher: Team Ninja/Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Action - Single Player
Reviewed by: Glitch/teh_ace_playa (Thomas)

Introduction:

We all know Ninja Gaiden. Some of us love it, due to it’s incredible combat and challenging gameplay. Others of us tend to get too angry at the game’s skill requirement. The latest installment in the franchise still provides the player with the excellent combat and insane difficulty, but falls short on many other fronts. Most any gamer will be able to point out how severely unpolished this title is. Faults aside, this is still a solid title and fans of the series will be pleased.

Read the rest of both reviews here

-Thomas

Battle of the Bands

Platform: Wii - Developer: Planet Moon Studios
Genre: Rhythm Game - Two Players

Reviewed by rf

Introduction

With the advent of Dance Dance Revolution, game play changed forever. Gamers suddenly were required to learn rhythm and timing and use these newly acquired skills to defeat their gaming foes. Games like Elite Beat Agents further pushed these skills; tapping in rhythm on the DS allowed one, as a secret agent, to fix everyday problems AND save the world from aliens. Guitar Hero and Rock Band kicked the rhythm-game genre up a notch; gamers followed scrolling notes across a screen to be a better rocker, gain fans and money, and win. Battle of the Bands for the Wii is the next step in this musical rhythm game genre. Using the wiimote, players hit notes scrolling across the screen to further their band’s performance. These accurately hit notes, however, don’t just add to the players score, they form attacks which the player uses to crush its competitor’s band–be it the computer or another player. At the end of the song, only one band survives.

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Penny Arcade: On the Rain Slick Precipice of Darkness Episode 1

Platform: Xbox 360, PC, Mac - Developer: Hothead Games
Genre: Adventure RPG - One Player

Reviewed by Chris Cesarano (a.k.a. Grohdinger)

Introduction:

The creators of online comic Penny Arcade Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik, code-named Tycho and Gabe, are well known for their criticism and satire of the games industry. The pair have now themselves stepped into the realm of game development, and one must wonder if they are able to put their money where their mouth is.

After playing through the title, I can certainly say yes, they can.

 
Note: the screenshots in this review are all from pre-release, and mostly for the PC version of the game. While they provide an accurate idea as to how the game plays, they are not 100% true to the Xbox Live version.

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Grand Theft Auto IV

Platform: Xbox 360/PS3

Developer: Rockstar North - Publisher: Rockstar Games
Genre: Action/Sandbox – Players: 1 Offline/2-16 Online

Reviewed by EarthViper

Introduction:
Grand Theft Auto IV, the biggest game of the year, has finally landed. Somewhere beneath the immense hype, the unprecedented sales and the glowing critical reception lays an actual game; go figure! The question is how does said game stand against the standards of the industry, the genre and even its own predecessors? So setting aside the hype machine for just a few minutes let’s look at how the game’s merits and flaws balance out.

Click for full review

-EarthViper

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2

Platform: Xbox 360/PS3/PC
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal - Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: First Person Shooter – Players: 1-2 Offline/2-16 Online

Review by EarthViper

Introduction:
In case you haven’t noticed, the current gaming scene is pretty much swamped with shooters. Of course while the popularity of the genre implies that there is a very large market for such games that doesn’t make it easy for just any shooter to gain notoriety. In fact, with such a crowded genre it’s becoming increasingly difficult for a game to stand out. A little over a year ago, Ubisoft Montreal did just that with the original Rainbow Six Vegas. The popularity of the franchise coupled with some truly superb gameplay mechanics set it up to be a big success in spite of some stiff competition. A year later however, a largely unchanged sequel has to go head to head with even tougher competition than the original faced. So does Rainbow Six Vegas 2 ‘stand out’? Read on to find out!

Full Review

-EarthViper

Devil May Cry 4

Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3 - Developer/Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Action/Hack and Slash - One Player

Reviewed by Chris Cesarano (a.k.a. Grohdinger)

Introduction:

I originally had a few misgivings about doing a review for Devil May Cry 4. I had never played any of the previous titles, and I was afraid that one little comment about a mechanic that didn’t please me would bring the franchise fanboys clamoring in anger and rage.

However, it is just that fact that makes me an excellent choice to review the title. Capcom has attempted to create a new entry in the franchise that can bring in new fans, as well as please the old. The result: huge success.

Note: Some of the screenshots of this review are of older builds of Devil May Cry 4

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Better late than never, Wii60 now has an Official Review for BioWare’s 360 RPG Mass Effect. Bringing us this, his very first Official Review, is forum staff member Kotzu but that’s not all, it’s also Wii60’s very first Official Video Review!

Visit the forums to discuss this review and all things Mass Effect!

-EarthViper

No More Heroes

Platforms: Wii – Developer/Publisher: Grasshopper Manufacture/Ubi Soft
Genre: Action-Sword fighting - Single Player

Review by teh_ace_playa (Thomas)

Introduction:
If you have been watching No More Heroes for a while, you know it’s one insanely original IP. Suda 51 has brought us yet another classic story-driven IP that proves to be some of the most fun in a long time. While this game may not be the most visually appealing title, the other mechanics of the game should draw in any self-respecting gamer. Before I begin the review, however, know this: I had more fun with No More Heroes than any game from 2007, seriously. In all reality, this game does have many flaws, but none of them are enough to hurt this incredible chunk of originality.

Click Here to read the full review!

-Thomas 

Assassin’s Creed

Platforms: Xbox 360 - Developer/Publisher: Ubi Soft Montreal
Genre: Sandbox-Stealth - Single Player

Review by EarthViper

Introduction:
I admit it, over the past 10 years during the rise in prominence of both sandbox games and stealth games, neither genre has appealed to me all that much. It came as quite a surprise then that Assassin’s Creed, which supposedly fused these two gameplay styles into one, interested me so much. As the year was winding to a close I was left to ponder however if Assassin’s Creed would be merely another in a long line of massively hyped 2007 games, filled to the brim with potential, that would fall well short of the mark. Keeping my hopes high I rushed home from the game store, AC in hand, hoping that the bitter taste the rest of the year had left in my mouth would soon be washed away. So did Assassin’s Creed overcome the hype machine and deliver a game that deserved it’s attention based on true merit, or did it fall with a thud like so many before it? Read on to find out.

Click here to read full review!

-EarthViper

Timeshift

Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC - Developer/Publisher: Saber Interactive/Sierra Entertainment
Genre: First Person Shooter - Single Player Campaign, 2-16 Multiplayer

Reviewed by Chris Cesarano (a.k.a. Grohdinger)

Introduction:

Timeshift is one of those titles that has been in development under several different studios for several years, so when it comes out you’re always unsure what to think of it. The game might be good, or it might be humdrum. Even worse, it could be absolutely terrible. While TimeShift certainly doesn’t feel like a refined title under development for several years, it at least isn’t terrible. It’s simply…ok.

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