Game franchises typically follow an evolutionary trajectory, with each successive iteration gradually building on the strengths of its predecessor. Capcom’s Lost Planet series has followed a route filled with pervasive renovation. 2006’s Lost Planet: Extreme ...
Read More »Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist Review
This generation of Tom Clancy-branded titles undoubted demonstrated the capability of consoles, flaunting enriched visuals and providing players with access to increasingly sophisticated gadgetry. Yet, Ubisoft’s contemporary line of military and espionage-themed games also simplified ...
Read More »Saints Row IV Review: The Saints Go Wall Running In
Typically, collector’s editions are filled with superfluous items- distressingly fragile figurines, ornamental character skins, and other miscellaneous tchotchke. While Saints Row IV devotees can purchase a hundred dollar ‘Super Dangerous Wub Wub’ edition which includes ...
Read More »Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers Review
Across the PC landscape air combat simulations abound, invigorated by supplemental hardware setups which often include lavish flight controllers and multi-monitor viewing perspectives. On console, stanch simulations are less common, with most titles favoring skin-deep ...
Read More »DuckTales Remastered Review
What is the concept? When the original DuckTales was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989, the title went on to become Capcom’s biggest hit for the console, selling over 1.6 million copies across ...
Read More »Thunder Wolves Review
What is the concept? During the heyday of coin-ops, there was little need for narrative. Instead, arcade proprietors sought cabinets which would elicit adrenaline-emitting reactions, thereby earning a steady stream of revenue. The inclusion of ...
Read More »Tales of Xillia Review
Ironically, the same principles which stimulate adoration for Japanese role-playing games are also the reasons why the genre has a constituency of critics. Much like haiku, the beauty of the JRPG stems from the scope ...
Read More »Dragon’s Crown Review
During the heyday of the coin-op era, the brawler enjoyed an extended period of quarter-gorging success. The reason for the genre’s popularity was clear: titles like Double Dragon, Final Fight, and Bad Dudes articulated the ...
Read More »Mamorukun Curse! Review
What is the concept? Savvy shmup enthusiasts might be familiar with Mamoru-kun wa Norowarete Shimatta! (direct translation Mamoru-kun Has Been Cursed!). Originally a NAOMI-based arcade coin-op, the game was ported onto Japanese consoles with an ...
Read More »Dynasty Warriors 8 Review
For over twelve years, Omega Force’s Dynasty Warriors franchise has provided visceral and fantastical interpretations of Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms. While the series’ hack-and-slash gameplay has proved contentious, few can argue that ...
Read More »