More gun-dealing deathmatches? A futuristic mammal-and-robot team? Two types of games for lootwhores? It must be time for Bitmob’s Reviews Spotlight.
We showcase more of the great Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 reviews that you’ve written between deathmatches. We also look at a few games that won’t break the bank but satisfy the urge to kill virtual baddies. We analyze the new Ratchet and Clank, examine a robot title that harkens back to the point-and-click puzzle era, and see what it’s like to heal people in a game instead of trying to gut them.
Let the healing begin!
Modern Warfare 2 Review (360 & PC experiences)
By Tyler Gill
The excitement over Modern Warfare 2 is finally dying down, but the Bitmob community appears to still be quite taken with the game. While he thinks calling it the game of the year is a bit over the top, Tyler seems to like the game. He does have gripes with the campaign’s level design. “But Wolverines, a level that has you fighting through the streets of Rio, is in my opinion one of the worst levels that I’ve playing in the first-person shooter genre.” He breaks down how Wolverines and the now infamous No Russian terminal execution take you out of the game. “The mission is in a gray area. Having the mission in the game opens it up to flak from the outside media, yet the liner gameplay extremely limits my experience, and with the capability to the skip the mission, it almost feels like a cop-out.”
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review PS3
By Michael Wenzel
Michael shows more love in his review than Tyler did. He discusses a couple of the more obvious changes to the single-player, saying, “These fixes are evidence to the amount of time Infinity Ward, Modern Warfare 2’s developer, spent on the enemy A.I.” The foes are definitely brighter in this game, though sometimes it does still seem like you’re more mowing mindless grass instead of killing bad guys. Unlike Tyler, Michael likes the game level design and plot, saying that it “brilliantly stacks the odds against you…. The storytelling mechanics for single-player were also fantastic.” Sounds like Infinity Ward made this virtual soldier very happy.
Review: Modern Warfare 2
By Thomas Johnson
Right off the bat, Thomas asks the right question: “It’s no secret that Modern Warfare 2 is popular, but does it live up to the hype?” He seems quite impressed by many aspects of the game. “The game’s audio and dialogue don’t skimp on quality or details either, having unique sounds for all of the guns and some great voice work provided by actors such as Keith David, who deliver expertly crafted lines that really help to suck you into the world.”
Ratchet and Clank: Future — A Crack in Time- Review
By Frank Anderson
Ratchet and Clank: Future — A Crack in Time is the ninth game in the Ratchet and Clank series, and the developer has stated clearly that this game will conclude the time-traveling future trilogy started in Ratchet & Clank: Future — Tools of Destruction. Judging from gamer comments and reviews, parts of this game are excellent, and others fall a bit short. “Playing Ratchet and Clank: Future — A Crack in Time was a bit like eating a three-course meal with an appetizer and dessert that stank sandwiched around an excellent main course.” If this is the end of the Future trilogy, can we at least expect a fitting conclusion to the story? “While you may go into this game expecting a ton of plot twists and some sort of resolution…I don’t expect too many world-rocking developments…at least as far as the plot is concerned.” Read on to see if the “main course” makes it worth playing.
Overlord: Minions in 300 Words
By Jazz English
As Nintendo DS games go, Overlord: Minions does sound interesting — you fight as the bad guy, an evil overlord in control of minions. Does the game show off as much originality as the story? “The levels are all pretty cookie-cutter in design: They require the same exact things to pass.” This isn’t a promising start. What are the game’s positives? “The enemies of Overlords: Minions are the only things that keep the levels difficult.” Read all 300 words to see if you agree with Jazz’s conclusion that this game might be worth taking a look.
Machinarium Review
By Dashiell Asher
“Machinarium is a beautifully crafted point-and-click graphic-adventure game set in a clinking and clanking world of rust, dust, and robots.” Dashiell makes the setting sound interesting. “Machinarium feels like the natural evolution of Amanita Design’s previous efforts.” With fun titles like the Samorost games in Amanita Design’s repertoire, that statement could make point-and-click fans very happy. “Visually, the game is absolutely gorgeous. Amanita Design have managed to create a visual style entirely their own.”
Borderlands PC Review
By Finn Haverkamp
Borderlands has garnered some very good reviews since its release, but Finn takes issue with many aspects of the game. “Of the many features Gearbox attempted with Borderlands, shooting takes prize for prettiest lass of the ball.” You might be wondering why this is a bad thing? Here’s why: “However, the basic shooting mechanic fails to flourish throughout the game. The game’s other features stunt its potential.” Since shooting is the emphasis of the game, enemy A.I. and strategy would seem important. “But each will fall the same way, and before too long, each repeated foe will rob your spirit of any anticipation for variety in future encounters.” Read on for further analysis of the game and to see if multiplayer improves Finn’s overall opinion.
Torchlight Review
By Tyler Gill
This is a game many of us are excited about — there hasn’t been a decent Diablo clone for some time. “Torchlight is an evolution of the action-RPG formula that Diablo perfect in the ’90s, and it could be considered an indirect sequel because of its heritage with Diablo.” What’s the single most innovative change to the tried-and-true formula Blizzard gave us? “Torchlight offers a unique and very smart refinement to the Diablo formula. Your character has a pet sidekick, a dog or a cat, functioning both as a mule that can be sent back to town while in a dungeon and a fully automated sidekick in battle that can learn any spell in your inventory.” Anyone who’s played Diablo can definitely see how this fun new feature could completely alter how you play the game.
Panzer General: Allied Assault (XBLA) Review
By Eduardo Reboucas
War games, and World War II games in particular, have literally been done to death. What makes Panzer General: Allied Assault different from the rest? Eduardo introduces us to the game: “Panzer General is a board card game that pits the Allies against the Axis in 14 levels.” It has only 14 levels? “But the game’s pace is so slow and methodical, every mission is a drawn-out battle that can take hours to complete, depending on your approach.” Card games are usually about as exciting as a Barry Manilow concert. Does the level design of this WWII card board game add some appeal? “Levels always have alternative routes for success, and this mission structure provides a certain measure of replayability.” For a measly 800 Microsoft Points, this seemingly simple title might be worth checking out.
For What It’s Worth — Trauma Center: Under The Knife
By Ryan Conway
In Ryan’s latest For What it’s Worth review, he looks at the DS bargain bin to examine a futuristic title where you actually try to save people instead of trying to kill them. Starting with the visuals of Trauma Center: Under the Knife, Ryan says, “The anime artwork actually works very well. The character designs and backgrounds have a solid amount of detail.” The mix of anime and 3D animation has been a staple of Atlus’ Trauma games from the beginning and seems to work well. How does it play? “Whether you’re opening up the patient, removing tumors, or zapping a mutant virus with your laser, the controls will always feel smooth.” If you liked Atlus’ previous doctor simulators, it sounds like this one is a cut above the rest (sorry for the appropriate but painful pun).