SSX (Xbox360, PS3)
Rating 4 out of 10
Given that the franchise has been a running success for years, along with the prolonged hiatus, SSX returns to our next generation consoles with little progression. Though graphically, second to none, SSX is cumbersome, unimaginative and plain boring.
Fear Effect 2 (2001, Eidos)
Delighted and excited are two emotions I experienced looking through the Playstation 3 Store to see shelved Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix for £5.99! For those who have not played this title, the Fear Effect franchise was one that was overlooked. Exploring the professional and person lives of suggested lesbian, freelance operatives Hana and Rain, Fear Effect immerses itself an engaging, adult-adventure gaming with a unique spin.
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Game review: 6 out of 10
Related back to an earlier post on my initial impression of Uncharted 3; I haven ow completed and all I can say is that my feelings then were just that– initial.
My main problem with Uncharted 3 was that it missed the thrill of the previous two games. Without doubt the graphics were fantastic and the surrounds were okay, but gameplay was predominantly thoughtless. The thing I love the series for is its balance of 3rd person action and puzzle solving. There must have been a handful of puzzles in this titles. With most of the focus on running through almost duplicated scenes filled with explosions and gun battles, which are made horrible with the poor target system and tedious weapons.
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Title: Driver San Francisco
Platforms: PS3, Xbox360, Wii
Rating: 2 out of 5
So, those who have owned an early generation console will not be a stranger to the Driver franchise. The first was great, a revelation in the sandbox genre that was beginning to really evolve. Following the release of the second, some could argue the sandbox driving style of missions, along with the ability to exit the vehicle and free-roam could be a huge influence on the likes of future GTA titles.
However, the Driver franchise took a quite a pause after the third, before its release on next gen platforms, and here’s the verdict.
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Title: From Dust (2011, Ubisoft)
Platforms: PS3, Xbox360
Rating: 4 out of 5
Simulation-meets-God sim-meets- adventure mixed with a tribal, survival theme is probably a strange algorithm to descriptor this mini venture from games leader Ubisoft. I best describe From Dust as The Sims plus Black and White, meets Lemmings– and that’s not a bad thing.
From the opening, we, the player, are introduced as an element–breathe in particular–created in a tribal ritual. Instantly, though bizarre, From Dust is bold with originality. Subtitled, an dubbed voice over is non-existent and unable to interfere with authenticity and the effect, is an immersive narrative. So it begins pretty standard. We– the breathe that is leading the tribesmen to a gateway to their memories– appear as an unusual curser in the centre of the screen. Pretty standard of the simulation genre, that’s what I thought until the men reach a river which they are unable to cross. It is here that the game really shines. The breathe possesses the power to absorb from the surroundings (in this case desert sand) and manipulate it. Graphics are not out of this world, however the sense of games physics is confident here and really does shine.
I will not spoil any more, but Ubisoft’s From Dust is an unusual, bold, refreshing take on the simulation genre. Displaying a highly assured sense of physics and game engines, it plays with its form whilst staying true to a narrative.
