If you have an inclination towards cloak-and-dagger activity, then you’ll find this week’s Bitmob Review Spotlight especially interesting. It seems the community can’t get enough of stalking, sneaking up to, and stabbing unsuspecting enemies. In an effort to quench their thirst for clandestine operations, the community has decided to review (mostly) stealth and action-based games like Thief: The Dark Project, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and Assassin’s Creed 2. The somewhat stealthy Halo 3: ODST joins the crowd in the shadows.
But not all of this week’s reviews dwell in the shadows. Wipeout HD Fury’s glimmering polish is enough to illuminate even the darkest corners, while Captain America shines a harsh light upon evildoers everywhere in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2. Lastly, Professor Layton does his best to uncover the mysteries which surround the
Curious Village.
So, without further ado, here is this week’s Bitmob Review Spotlight.
You’ve Aged Well: Thief
By Omri Petitte
While the stealth genre continues to gain new-found prominence among the more action-oriented mainstream, it’s important to look back at where things started. Thief wasn’t necessarily the progenitor of the genre, but it represents an important milestone. Omri Petitte revisits the game and is surprised at the excitement which it’s able to elicit more than 10 years after its release. Omri explains that he can’t find “any other game experience that held my breath and drained my will so much as Thief — and that’s a good thing.” While some of the game’s more outlandish scenes (some of which include killing zombies and spiders) may come across as pointless, the end result is a game which offers “sprawling levels” and “hair-raising” moments.
Uncharted 2, Storytelling, and Luke Skywalker
By Cody Winn
After recovering from the initial shock of Uncharted 2’s utter beauty, Cody provides a very succinct analysis of the game’s storytelling methods. Cody isn’t the biggest fan of cutscenes, which is why Naughty Dog’s synthesis between gameplay, cinematics, and quick-time events appeals to him. But it’s not necessarily the beauty or narrative style which really hooked Cody — it was the game’s characters. Nathan Drake, Uncharted 2’s protagonist, finds himself without a paddle and against a strong current. But unlike the “muscle-bound baddasses who carry chainsaws into battle without even the slightest hint of apprehension or fear,” Nathan shows concern and self-doubt. However unlikely, Cody manages to establish a very convincing link between Nathan and the galactic wunderkind, Luke Skywalker. The two characters are down to earth and relatable, an element which has helped make both franchises classics in their respective industries.
Assassin’s Creed 2 Review
By Adam Knight
In keeping with the theme of thievery and stealthiness, Adam Knight spells out the difference between Assassin’s Creed 2 and its much-chagrined predecessor, AC1. Like me, Adam felt a degree of apprehension as the game got “off to a shaky start with a lengthy mixture of exposition and awkward combat.” But as Adam was slowly introduced to the brash, bonvivant Ezio Auditore — the game’s protagonist and the subject of Desmond Miles’ genetic memories — he was slowly convinced of the game’s quality. Assassin’s Creed 2 provides a “gripping adventure” and is “overflowing with rewarding things to do,” says Adam. I couldn’t agree more.
Halo 3: ODST Review
By Allistair Everett
Halo 3: ODST still struggles to escape accusations that it’s an expansion. With so few core gameplay changes, the minor enhancements and additions could “go over the head of everyone except the most dedicated fans of the franchise”. But Allistair is determined to prove otherwise. Why? Because “it’s the best Halo since the original!” A lofty claim, indeed. According to him, the game’s tone, music, and fleshed-out lore help overcome minor issues. But Allistair doesn’t hold any punches: Halo 3: ODST is a “mixed bag between being the shortest and sweetest Halo campaign paired with a more ambitious open-world…that detracts from it in other ways.”
Rambling Reviews: Wipeout HD Fury – A Blast From the Past
By Ben Maltz-Jones
After delays, re-releases, and planned expansions, Wipeout HD Fury finally made its way into Ben’s possession — a game which he considers to be “futuristic racing in its purest form.” Ben admits to being obsessed with Wipeout HD Fury’s photo mode, which allows him to control the contrast levels and shutter speeds of the game’s screenshot mechanic. Follow the link above to check out Ben’s unsurprising verdict.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Something That Ensures I’ll Never Have Sex
By Gabriel Shellnut
Complete with a comically long title, Gabriel’s review of Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 highlights the shortcomings and accomplishments of the long-awaited sequel. If you’re a of the series, beware: This review is harsh, but it’s also fair. Gabriel points out the laziness of the developers, as they’ve programmed and designed the enemies very poorly. Furthermore, the game apparently only delivers one and a half campaigns, while it promises two. But Gabriel finds time to put aside his misgivings, as MUA2 finally delivers on the concept in the latter half of the game.
For What It’s Worth: Professor Layton and the Curious Village
By Ryan Conway
Ryan rings in the new year with a new edition of “For What It’s Worth.” This time he reviews the value of Professor Layton and the Curious Village. The newest incarnation of this DS puzzler delivers an atmospheric soundtrack and enticing puzzles. Ryan finds a lot to love about the Curious Village.