Each week, the Reviews Spotlight highlights some of our best community writers, and these folks have a keen eye for what is hot and what is wick-wick-wack. Today, we have an opinion of the most-talked-about game on store shelves, one of this year’s highest-rated first-person shooters, a beloved DS title, and a remixed classic from the PlayStation 2 era.
L.A. Noire review: Even gaming milestones aren't perfect
By Ben Gifford
I read this review of L.A. Noire with a quivering lip. Developer Team Bondi made the gameplay so accessible that after watching me investigate a crime scene, my fiancé seized the sticks. Oh, I can still play it…when she needs help chasing a fleeing suspect, for example. She practically throws the controller at me during a shoot-out, yelling, “Get ‘em, honey!” According to the article, it’s a great title with a few minor but noticeable hiccups. Yeah, have fun playing your near-masterpiece, Ben!
Crysis 2 review (PS3): Bubblegum action man trying to play the scientist
By Tristan Damen
Because this year has seen the release of so many quality games, it might be tempting to forget this gem of a first-person shooter. Breaking the review down in three categories — good, bad, and ugly — Tristan clearly conveys what is enjoyable about Crysis 2, but he balances his enthusiasm with some fair criticism. It’s a proper read and a nice contrast to Alex Hann’s article.
Why Monster Tale is the perfect DS sendoff
By Cameron Pershall
The last time we put the Spotlight on this charming title, community writer Chase Koeneke and I joked about how difficult it is for people to describe what type of game this is. But, Cameron has an interesting perpective. His rather touching review implies that Monster Tale is the swan song of the Nintendo DS. Its design “serves the double purpose of making the game feel warm and familiar, despite being completely new,” he writes. “And, [it] provides a meta-commentary about the end of the DS’s life.” Yep, I think that description works.
Review: God of War in HD
By Josh Finderup
It was a brilliant decision by Sony to give God of War a high-definition makeover, because it made the game desirable to an important sub-group of gamers: the graphic whores. If you’re one of the few people who have not played this amazing title, I have great news! You can(not) download it from the PlayStation Store for 15 bucks.
