Game Review: Attack of the Toybots (GBA)

  Nicktoons: Attacks of the Toybots, published by THQ is a sequel to Nicktoons Unite! and Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island. Released for the Nintendo DS, GameBoy Advanced, Playstation 2 and Wii consoles. While it's obvious certain versions would be different, some are highly different(ex: GBA and Wii/PS2 version), to he point of changing the story a bit, and to this point I will be reviewing the GBA version, mainly due to the fact that I own this version, and have since I was a child(Please be aware, this will taint my review a little, so I may be inclined to be more generous to this game).

  First off the Gameplay, while I normally don't start with Gameplay, I feel like gameplay for this version is what particularly stands out. Essentially it's a platforming game, with enemies. Each Nicktoon character has a different skill set. At the beginning you pick a Nicktoon to play as through the first level, and then you unlock another at the end. You must also get all Nicktoons through each level, although you have unlimited lives and health mixed with a checkpoint system. If for some reason this system seems weird I'll explain it, you have health, when it reaches 0, then you restart at the last checkpoint you passed over. Also as each Nicktoon passes through the levels they gain new abilities, such as when completing the first level as Danny Phantom, you get the ability to charge up your 'Ecto-Shot'(I don't think that the official name). The game also uses a password system, instead of a save system, which is interesting as it's rarely implemented in games, especially around the end of 2007.  Also the level-design gets repetitive and boring at times, with new things only really being thrown at you in the next level, although even then that's usually new enemies, which is one of my major gripes about this game, it's highly repetitive and gets boring quickly. While I do give the game credit for giving multiple paths in the levels, for each character's special movement abilities, like how Timmy Turner can turn into a Frog, or Jimmy Neutron can hack certain lifts to change direction, this doesn't help the repetitiveness that much. The game also rewards exploring in some cases, although the exploring is limited, as each level is rather linear, excluding some areas. Which don't help with replay value.

  Next lets cover the Story, the story is slightly different from the other versions(at least the PS2/Wii version), in that unlike those versions, Cosmo and Wanda appear and have enough magic to unlock one containment unit, and that is your first character. Afterwards beating the boss you can go back, as they drop a key upon death. and unlock someone else of your choosing. However other than that change, I see little change in the story. Although I do think the story is rather well written,

 Finally let's cover audio and graphics. The graphics are good for the fact that it's a GameBoy Advanced, and the audio is good, with nice music and nice sound effects. I really don't have much to say about them because of the fact that they do their job effectively, they look nice and provide enough information as to where to move.

  In Conclusion I'd say that Nickoons: Attack of the Toybots for the GameBoy Advanced, is a good game with graphics that are rather good for the Gameboy Advanced, along with good audio. They story is well-written in my opinion and while there are changes from the PS2/Wii Version, that is to be expected due to the differences in hardware. The game mechanics are interesting, but levels generally get repetitive even with the alternate accesses for characters. This causes the replay value to be little, due to the fact that it gets boring for me rather quickly. However if you don't mind paying the money or can get it for cheap, like Nicktoons, platforming and have a Gameboy Advance sitting around, then go for it it's worth it.

NOTE: It should be noted that I have yet to beat the game...

Game Review: Xenowar

   Xenowars, a game developed by Grinning Lizard, and originally released for Android Devices, is essentially an X-COM Clone, with what the original did(along with the remake, since it followed the old X-COM formula in places), and distilled it to a basic and minimalistic design.

   First off lets begin with the Graphics, which quite honestly, are crap by normal PC standards, however because it was designed mainly for phones back a few years ago, I can understand and see why. However the graphics themselves aren't horrible, they are basic but functional. It's also not that hard to tell the difference between alien races, or your team and civilians. So while the graphic's aren't the best, they do their job rather well, and they don't do much more.

   Secondly the audio, which is lacking in a sense. There is no music in game, only audio-effects from the game. Examples of the effects include guns firing, and rockets. Although even then there isn't much variety. While I can excuse the music aspect, it could have done better with sound variety in game, although you don't really need the audio at all in some ways, so the audio has little effect on gameplay at the moment, although music would be useful.

   Next the Gameplay and story. The Story itself is non-existant, essentially you control a global force that's designed to protect the world from aliens, and you can buy new places, troops, items, ect. Now the gameplay is interesting, much like the original X-COM. When you first start a game you can either start a tactical or geo-game. tactical is simply a mission, while geo is the 'main-game'. In geo, you can place bases, and set them up(the first one is already designed for you), and you can send your troops out to battle with either shot down(requires a base to shoot it down) or is landed. If the alien is able to place enough crop-circles in a nation it's converted and you loose that nation. You can also manage your research and resources in this mode as well. During fight's you play tactical mode, which you search for the aliens and kill them, trying not to kill civilians(I thought they were aliens when I first saw them). You move units around and shoot, it's also worth noting that there is friendly fire, and I've lost several of my units that way. Also if you run out of clips you have to buy more.

   I also want to take a moment to go over in-game-documentation, which in this game there is very little. I had no idea there were civilians until I looked at the wiki(although there is a civilian category after you finish a mission, which I never really looked at). You also have to figure out things on your own for the most part, as the wiki is lacking. Another issue is that money isn't accrued fast enough it seems as well. Also it's worth noting that the game is technically mod-able, but there are no mods out for it as far as I can tell.
  
   So in conclusion, the game is fun, but generally lacks graphics, audio, and story, but makes up for it in gameplay. The only major drawback is it's lack of documentation which makes things difficult, however the gameplay on easy is already rather difficult as is. Also as with gameplay of this genre it can get really repetitive and a little boring after awhile, but when played for a short period of time(about an hour or so) with breaks in between, it can be fun to play. I suggest that you play on easy your first time, the game is rather hard already. While I don't think it's exactly worth the money that it goes for on Andriod devices, I do think it would be a good game at $0.99 (USD), or less and I suggest getting it on PC if you don't want to pay for it.

EDIT: I posted the wrong review initially.

Game Review: Desent(PS1 Edition)

  Descent, a game Developed by Parallax and then published by Interplay in 1994, and was originally released on the PC, it later got a port to Apple Power's Macintosh in 1996, and later was ported to to the Sony PlayStation, eventually a port for the Sega Saturn was developed, but dropped due to a lack of faith in the viability economically of that project. Descent itself also spawned two squeals. The game itself is a First Person Shooter and a 'Shoot 'em up' game. The PC port itself brought several things to the table, however for this review I am only doing the PlayStation port(I do plan on using the PC port for a more complete review and a comparison of the two at a later date).

   First, The graphics. While the game was originally made in 1994, and the PlayStation port in 1996, the graphics have aged really well in my opinion. The enemies are rendered in a 3D mesh, which has contributed to the way the graphics have aged. The graphics themselves, are extremely nice for the era, and even today in some cases, however the graphics aren't really the shining point here, it's more-so the Audio and Game-play.

   Secondly, the Game-play. This game has great game-play, and due to the era in which it was released, it's unlike common games today. First off since you play in space/in Zero Gravity(or Micro Gravity) environments, you have Six Degrees of Movement, with this it gives you a lot of freedom as to moving about the levels, and features all sorts of controls, ones to flip you around, 'strafing', etc. While this might cause you to become disoriented, it's still fun, because you can shoot enemies upside down, which isn't done in most games today. The Game itself also offers Multi-player(in all releases), and has a single-player mode. The Single-player mode, being the only mode I can really play, is satisfying in it's own right. You simply run into enemies shoot them, and have to navigate around levels finding the Keys, and sometimes hostages, then navigate to the end, and escape after destroying the base(well it's like that in the first two levels, and I admittedly died at the end of the second level). There are also several different types of weapons usable, with your main weapon taking energy and your secondary weapon using traditional ammo, although there is an exception. The game-play itself is extremely satisfying as well. The only thing I really don't like about game-play is the fact that you have to be right next to doors to open them, although this is minor. The controls are great, although I did have to rebind two controls, as I kept getting them mixed up, the port also trusts you to set your own controls, unlike a lot of console games today which have preset controls. The Story itself is told in between levels, although the story involves a computer virus and you are a mercenary sent to stop it, although the story is relatively minor in my opinion and you can skip through it if you want(which is why this didn't get it's own section), although the story itself is rather nice.

   Thirdly, the Audio. The Audio for the PlayStation port is awesome. The Music goes along with the setting(along with having a few extra tracks), and the sound effects aren't too far off, and in fact increase the effect of the game-play, and make it more satisfying. The audio's quality is really well, which I do expect somewhat of a PlayStation title(even if it's a port).

   Finally Difficulty. I felt like this should get it's own section. The game has three difficulties, and I heavily suggest starting on easy first. The game itself, was hard for me on easy, and I have died a few times. Either I suck or this game is hard. If you die, you have to start the level over again, although you can regain your stuff(if you die by an enemy). However the difficulty itself isn't as bad as VVVVVV and isn't Nintendo Hard in any means, it still is difficult.

   So in recap, it is a great game, with great Graphics, Audio, Video which combined into a great game, with the difficulty enhancing the game-play, along with a nice story. Although the original PC PC version seems to not run under modern systems(XP and up), the game is worth the money you can find it for(if you have a system that can play it), or you can emulate it. If you do emulate it, then try and use a PlayStation controller, as it's the best way to play the game, in my opinion. The game itself is a great game, and has aged really well as it offers unique game-play that no other game today really matches(excluding the Miner Wars 2081, which is the closest game that offers similar game-play mechanics and Space Engineers both for the PC, and available on steam, although Miner Wars is the only game that is similar in the type of game, as well as in the game-play mainly the six degrees of free movement). In short, the game is great and you should try it, it's a unique experience that I have yet to really come across in any modern game, and more than likely will take away some hours of your day, the game deserves a 9.5 out of 10.

Game Review: Project Eden

  Project Eden, a game developed by, the now defunct, Core Design, and published by Eidos Interactive,(which is now Square Enix Europe), and released in 2001 on the PC and Play Station 2 as an Action-Adventure game.

  First the Story, the story is rather simple, humans no longer live on the earth's surface and live above them in giant metropolises. The Urban Protection Agency are like the police, and you take control of a task force, each having their own unique abilities. With real farming impractical and somewhat impossible, the Real Meat Company produces Synthetic Meat, which is designed to taste like the real thing, however when their factory messes up and the technicians sent to fix it gone missing, your squad is sent to figure out what happened, and along the way learn more about the characters, and uncover a mystery of sorts.

  Next, the Game-play. The game-play is nice, and the fact that each UPA agent has their own ability means that you have to switch between them at times, although there are times when you question the switching, and the game is a little nice, although slow at times. The game also has two view modes, first person and third person, which you can switch between freely, however I prefer first person mode. When you first begin it starts out easy and the game slowly ramps it up until it becomes rather hard. The controls are a bit awkward at times, and you will most likely need to change the controls around a little, however that is a minor annoyance. The game itself is a few hours long, so it will give you some entertainment if you need some time to kill.

  The graphics are what you would expect of a game released in 2001, although the opening cut-scene does look better than the rest of the game. However due to the game being released in 2001, the graphics haven't exactly aged all to well, but it can be over looked considering the date in which this was released. The soundtrack is okay, but not the best, and the voice acting is weird at times, for example when you issue the Follow me command with Carter, although it seems to be okay for the most part

  The degree of re playability is little, although you certainly can replay to try and do better in some places or to try something different, the game, while allowing exploration, tends to push you in a certain direction most of the time and the reward for exploration is little.

  In short the game is what you would expect of a game released in 2001, in terms of graphics, voice acting, and sound-track, and to a degree, game-play. However the game-play could be better and some of the challenges and abilities could be better changed to give it a better feel. I recommend this to people who like older games, who like Eidos games, who want to try something new, or to those looking to kill some time, but not so much for the serious gamer, although they could have some fun with this too. It's more of a casual game than something I would, personally, sit down and play to the end non-stop. If you need a new game and don't mind wasting a few bucks, along with having a few hours to kill, then go ahead and buy this however, otherwise I'd suggest saving your money. I give this game a 7 out of 10.

Game Review: VVVVVV

  The Story of VVVVVV is rather interesting and unique, You are on a ship when it hits interference and gets stuck in an alternate dimension, however the ship's crew evacuates the ship, or at least tries to. The Teleporters, due to interference scatters the crew members about and you take control of Captain Viridian, who must save the other crew mates and escape the alternate dimension in which you are trapped in and collect materials and find out clues about where you are along the way.

  The graphics are somewhat something you would expect from an older game as the graphics are done in an 8-bit style, however the graphics work well with the game style and enhance the game to a bit, along with the music which does help the game and gives the universe more life to it.

  The game-play is unique in the fact that unlike traditional 2D Puzzle Platforming games, you can't jump, instead you switch gravity to either fall or float. There are also trinkets you can get which unlock certain features. The game also seems to reward exploration and gives you a nice large world to explore, which is nice at times. There is a no-enemies mode and I suggest you turn it on for the first play-through as it is hard with it on. Also be prepared to die a lot. It's worth mentioning game's mechanics makes it hard and might cause you to quit every now and then, but more than likely you will come back to it. The game does have a lot of check-points so this way you don't have to worry about death that much, and death is more of an inconvenience that anything else as you don't have lives.

  There is also a degree of re-playability as there is user-made levels, timed trails, bonuses and you can always go back and explore new areas and try new things. Also the Shiny Trinkets which you can pick up are something that you might want to try to get if you haven't done so already. However the re-playability is somewhat offset by the difficulty, which makes it harder to want to play it again, but also make you want to play it again.

  In short the game is fun, and is addictive, but you will find yourself commonly quitting time and time again, due to the difficulty. However after completion you may want to try and build your own levels or try the user-made ones as well. VVVVVV, while unforgiving at times is fun to play and is worth the anger in some ways. The Graphics and Soundtrack enhance the game and refresh it in a way from the ways games are done today. This game will give you hours of fun, and frustration. I recommend this to anyone who likes Nintendo Hard Games , who loves 2d Puzzle-platforms, and to anyone who has a bit of experience with games, and this game is not as much for the causal gamer in my opinion, although they can play this game as well. All in all this game is worth the money, time, and frustration needed. I give this game an 8.5 out of 10.

Welcome

Alright so welcome to my Blog! For now you don't really need to know much about me other than this is somewhat temporary.

I will also keep my Game Reviews and stuff here as well.

Some general notes though:
The first review on here(VVVVVV), was my first review ever and is incomplete. 
After Descent(3rd Review) I have decided to NOT use a scoring system at least in the main review, if asked I will provide a score.