Review: LIBERATION MAIDEN is weird, short, and fun

This sounds like the makings of something enjoyably brainless and crazy, and quite frankly, that’s what you get at every angle from Liberation Maiden, starting with the controls, which are somewhat reminiscent of Kid Icarus: Uprising in that you fly with the stick and aim and lock on to targets with the stylus, but also include an interesting strafing mechanic that makes shooting at ground targets more manageable, because believe me, you spend a LOT of time shooting at targets on the ground in this game. 

Liberation Maiden feels very polished at most points, and the game moves smoothly and quickly, with very frantic action sequences. You never really get more to work with than the standard homing missile barrage and a rechargeable beam weapon, but the simplicity of the gameplay is enjoyable, and I never really found myself wishing I had a bigger arsenal. The only really rough spots gameplay-wise come during the five boss fights, when the controls change to a maddeningly similar yet totally confusing alternate scheme that’s meant to help make the immense size of the enemy easier to deal with, but instead just makes you die more often because the way it’s laid out doesn’t really make logical sense. Still this minor flaw isn’t a deal-breaker, and my overall experience was largely positive.

This game is also beautiful. Aside from a production team who’s collectively worked on No More Heroes, Silent Hill, and the classic Anime film Akira, its cinematics benefit from a partnership with BONES animation, of Full Metal Alchemist fame, who animated all of them so beautifully, and delivered very high quality voice work and music as well. Every aspect of this game’s production is what you would expect of a Triple-A title, except that this game is just an 8 dollar eShop release, and that extra oomph really goes far in making Liberation Maiden a real leader of the pack on the Nintendo eShop.

The only thing I can really say disappointed me about this game was its length. It only has four stages, and one only takes about twenty-five minutes to complete at most. For 8 dollars, I’d normally expect about double that. Still, the high production value left me feeling like it was worth the high price tag, and the game does offer some replay value in having three different difficulty levels, and a little bit of artwork and lore that you can unlock based around a list of achievement-based challenges. It’s not much, but it does help to dull the sting of that two-hour length a little bit.

Overall, the game was extremely surprising on all fronts; surprisingly short for how expensive it is, surprisingly polished and well-produced for how affordable it is, and surprisingly appealing to the general public for a game directed by Suda 51. It’s a game I’ll be glad I own after this review is over, and a great game for you to check out for yourself, too. You won’t regret it. Honest.

Via: Review: LIBERATION MAIDEN is weird, short, and fun

Review: Assassin's Creed III: Liberation is a satisfying side story, with some minor hiccups

Though I won't spoil too much of her story here, she's got her own agenda to fill, trying to lead the lifestyle of a well-dressed lady by day, then by night, fighting against slave traders and red coats in either her traditional assassin outfit or an alternate slave costume, allowing her to sneak into government installations as a server.  It's hardly as satisfying a tale as, say, Connor's blood thirst for revenge, but it's interesting all the same.

Like its console brethren, Assassin's Creed III: Liberation gives you plenty of tools for the trade when it comes to getting around and hunting down targets.  Free running feels great on the handheld system, though there are times you'll run into foliage that, oddly enough, you can't get through.  But climbing trees and running across branches more than makes up for it, as does leaping off rooftops and conveniently planting your handblade into someone's skull.

That said, the combat is also quite smooth.  You'll have no problem fending off a group of enemies and putting together some brutal kills, while occasionally blocking an incoming attack and using it to your advantage.  The only downside is that some bosses, like a one-armed thug who leads his followers against you, cheat like crazy, rolling over your back and striking before you have a chance to react.  The key is catching him off guard, which is easier said than done.

Finally, there's a word to be said about personas.  Aveline can change between three over the course of the game – lady, slave and assassin – and each one has benefits to the cause.  Slave is probably one of the best, not only because you possess a mean hatchet, but also because you can maintain your physicality as you dwell through the village (mostly) unnoticed.  The assassin outfit is good for night missions, though.

Not every aspect of the gameplay works, though.  Ubisoft's attempt to integrate Vita capabilities into the adventure fall completely flat.  Trying to row a boat with back touch-screen controls and the analog stick is hideous – you're really better off swimming.  Other functions like changing into outfits and aiming your device around for a light source could've been left on the cutting room floor, instead making room for using new weapons – like the awesome blow gun.

Liberation will take you quite a few hours to finish, and there are various side tasks to complete, along with a shipping business that'll earn you enough revenue to buy up new land and take care of sick folks.  However, the game's multiplayer mode is quite shallow, especially compared to the new Wolfpack and Domination modes in the console games.  You'll play it a couple of times, then brush it off for good.

As far as presentation is concerned, Liberation isn't bad.  It has a bunch of glitches, and a problem with draw-in distance in some situations.  You can also get stuck behind buildings (and the plants) rather easily, and the camera can be your worst enemy.  That aside, the bayou has been luxuriously recreated, and it's fun roaming through forests and towns alike, killing off enemies and making good on your assassination promises.  The cut scenes aren't bad either, especially when Aveline is decked out in a killer dress.

Likewise, the audio does its part.  The voice actress behind Aveline does a fitting job, as does the rest of the crew, and the music is superb, fitting in with the tones of the 1700's era.

Not every part of Liberation works in the game's favor, as we could've easily done away with the Vita features (ugh, tilt functionality sucks) and lame multiplayer in favor of more single player stuff.  But it's a game still worth checking out, one that not only validates the Vita as a likable platform, but gives Ubisoft room to grow with what will no doubt be a more polished sequel.  Here's hoping that Aveline definitely makes her return along those lines.

Via: Review: Assassin's Creed III: Liberation is a satisfying side story, with some minor hiccups

PSA: Okami HD out now on PSN, looks all stylish and pretty

PlayStation 3 owners, rejoice! Okami HD has landed on the PlayStation Network and is available for $19.99. The game originally launched on the PlayStation 2 in 2006 and was ported to the Wii two years later. Suffice it to say if you've yet to play Okami, you should definitely do so now.

As is the case with these HD releases, you can expect Trophy support, 1080p visuals, and Move functionality. But really, even if it didn't feature any of those elements, I'd still say Okami is a game worth checking out at least once in your lifetime if you're a fan of fantasy action-adventure experiences.

The game takes you on a journey through ancient Japan as the sun goddess Amaterasu. It's up to you to restore peace to the land, all the while bestowing it with wondrous color and vibrant life.

Okami is easily one of the most beautiful games I've ever played, and it's great to see it make a return. With a stunning art style, incredible Japanese soundtrack, and enthralling gameplay, I strongly suggest you play this gem if you didn't the first or second time around. And hell, even if you did, it's worth another look.

[PlayStation Blog]

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Via: PSA: Okami HD out now on PSN, looks all stylish and pretty

Battlefield Play4Free gets new Rush mode

EA and developer Easy Studios have announced the newest addition to Battlefield Play4Free. Fans of the game can now engage in the all-new Rush mode.

This objective-based mode requires plenty of teamwork to succeed. Seek out the two M-COM stations and either defend or destroy them to defeat the opposing team.

If you've been playing Battlefield Play4Free, be sure to check out his latest mode and see if you dig it.

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Battlefield Play4Free gets new Rush mode

Review: Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask is an adventurous and remarkable puzzle game in a charming world

Miracle Mask brings the professor, his assistant Emmy and his apprentice Luke to the Vegas-esque tourism town of Monte d'Or. It's a town that is under assault by the Masked Gentleman, turning people into stone and such. He's viewed with wonder by some citizens for his daring magical feats, and with contempt and fear by others and the police. Needless to say, he's the source of the town's problems that goes hand-in-hand with the mystery surrounding Monte d'Or. Navigating Monte d'Or is all done with the stylus. You can access Layton's chest, investigate, or navigate the town with simple swipes and presses.

Investigating is done by tapping the magnifying glass with the stylus. You then look around the section of Monte d'Or that you're in. It can take a little getting used to having to move the stylus along the bottom 3DS screen while looking at where you are on the top screen, but By clicking objects, people and buildings, you uncover clues, find hint coins, advance the story and, most importantly, find puzzles! Puzzles are everywhere, which is to be expected in a Professor Layton game. There's over 100 puzzles to solve over the course of the adventure, from solving riddles and untangling balloon strings, to deducing how many people are in a picture from just looking at silhouettes. They increase in difficulty as the game advances, but it's rather forgiving. Re-attempting a puzzle either lowers the amount of Picarats you get or just prolongs the time until Layton points at you with that finger, congratulating you for solving the puzzle.

Even the game's early puzzles are no cakewalk, but it never gets to the point of being frustrating, mainly because the puzzles, look and feel of the game are so charming. In addition to these puzzles, there are mini-games that you access through Layton's chest. There's ones where you guide a robot through different levels filled with obstacles, one where you use rules and logic to stock store shelves a certain way so that customers buy all of the items, and one where you train a rabbit to perform an act for the circus. Oh, and there's also some horse riding in the game. And that's not all, as a new puzzle will be released every day for a year from launch day. Talk about replay value.

Bringing together the whole package is the use of three-dimensional graphics, which is a first for the series. It's one of the first games that I can play with the 3D slider all the way up for extended periods of time — it looks that good! Everything pops, from the hand-painted backgrounds, to the cute animation of the characters, to text boxes. Puzzles look better. Investigating and zooming in on environments look better. Simply put: the 3D makes the game pop and come to life. Add in whimsical music and voice acting that bring the characters to life, and you have quite the charming package.

The adventurous prequel story about Monte d'Or and its mysteries and chaos, as well as a young Professor Layton's friends, are quite captivating — even if it does take a while to ramp up. Combine that with the sheer amount of puzzles and mini-games, you're guaranteed at least 13 hours to complete the main story. For completionists, though, you'll be able to dump a lot more time into the game. The only negative is that at times I felt bogged down by the amount of things I can do, and I constantly felt the need to investiage and re-investigate the same area every time I entered it.

For newcomers and Professor Layton vets alike, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask is a remarkable puzzle game with an adventurous story set in a charming world. Everything pops with the 3D, and while changes to world exploration might take a bit to get used to, it doesn't hamper the game in any way. All this comes together to provide one of the best experiences on the 3DS and a must-have for fans of puzzle games.

You can follow Movies and Culture Editor Lance Liebl on Twitter @Lance_GZ. He likes talking sports, video games, and the stupidity of celebrities. Email at LLiebl@GameZone.com

Via: Review: Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask is an adventurous and remarkable puzzle game in a charming world

Review: Scarface iOS is not very Scarface at all

When I realized that Scarface for iOS was little more than a re-skinned tablet version of FarmVille, you can imagine that I was a little bit disappointed. The graphics are dated, the gameplay is exactly like it’s Facebook progenitor, and everything about it that could make it in any way unique falls totally flat. Really all the game is is a checklist of things to click on, Scarface movie sound effects, and broken online components.

The point of the game is to build up your personal empire by spending money and building structures which in turn make you more money. There’s also a few very similar looking sections of Miami where you can go to do jobs, which basically means just clicking around with your fingers and listening to the same five Al Pacino quotes over and over until you make enough money to build the next thing or run out of effort points, which enable you to do the jobs. When you run out of effort points, you can either buy more with real money, which the game tries really hard to get you to do at all times, or you can wait, a la FarmVille. As far as having actual skill-based gameplay, this game falls way short. I refused to spend any of my own money, and so really, most of my experience with this game consisted of me waiting around until I could touch stuff for five minutes again. I understand that this game is for a casual crowd who maybe just wants to check in on their little crime empire every time they use the bathroom, but there’s plenty of more engaging alternatives out there, even some that much more skillfully deliver the brutal but stylish action that I expected from a game called Scarface, not just a generic Facebook game that I can take on the bus.

The graphics and audio are also severely lacking. The models for the streets and buildings are fairly detailed, but the horrible interface, the chunky menus, and the absolutely lackluster sprites make the overall aesthetic feel much more like 2002 than 2012. They also re-use the same six or seven building and people models over and over, and it gets real old real fast. The soundtrack is a bizarre collection of off-putting and far too funky electronic ambience that sounds more like the intro music to a Double-Dragon knockoff than anything you’d find in Havana-flavored Miami Beach, especially in the early eighties, and I know I’ve mentioned it twice already, but other than the logo, the only really Scarface-y thing about the game is that it plays one of a very small selection of movie quotes whenever you “achieve” something, but they’re way too loud, almost to the point of being distorted, and there’s so few that they can never quite be as precisely appropriate to the specific thing you’re doing as you’d like.

Finally, the multiplayer aspect of the game allows you to steal from and attack other players, and harm or add to their prospective empires, but one, since it’s just touching the screen and waiting to see what happens, it never really feels any different than doing anything else in the game, and two, it works maybe one in five times where you are actually able to successfully connect, interact with, and successfully challenge someone else without either the attempt failing or the game crashing.

Bottom line, did the developer achieve what they set out to with this game? Yeah, probably. It’s really just a badass makeover for the classic Zynga-esque social gaming model with a few technical hiccups, but if you’re one of those people who loves Scarface or really anything at all about any stylized crime movie there’s ever been and you’re expecting anything similar to that experience at all, look elsewhere. This one’s a real stinker.

Via: Review: Scarface iOS is not very Scarface at all

Hotline Miami dev in talks with Sony to get game on PS Vita

While it may take some doing, it seems that Hotline Miami, the ultraviolent stealth-action game from developer Dennaton Games, may see a Vita release in the future. According to creator Jonatan Soderstrom, who recently said he'd be willing to offer help to pirates, the studio is in talks with Sony to deliver a port to the handheld.

Sadly, it will be a while before that happens as Dennaton would need another developer to help port the game to the Vita. That said, it's still pretty cool that Hotline Miami, which is quite a unique title, is being considered for a platform aside from the PC.

In addition to the Vita, Soderstrom stated that he'd consider a mobile version if the controls worked. "Would be interesting to see if it was possible to get it to play well on a touchscreen device," said the developer. "Sounds like a challenge."

Hotline Miami is available now in a less portable, less touchscreenish form through various PC digital download platforms for $9.99.

[Pocket Gamer]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Hotline Miami dev in talks with Sony to get game on PS Vita

IndieGameStand celebrates Halloween with Deadly 30 for $1

Halloween is almost upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a zombie apocalypse? Deadly 30 from developer Headup Games tasks you with surviving 30 days of zombie attacks. Players must scavenge for materials, build a fort, recruit survivors, and get through each passing day.

IndieGameStand is currently encouraging players to try their hand at survival in Deadly 30 for just $1. You can always be a bit more generous if you so desire, and doing so will score some extras. Paying over the average (currently $1.62) will get you parody videos from GonzoSSM. Paying $10 will net you Deadly 30, Megabyte Punch, and the next game to land on IndieGameStand.

As of this writing, there are 46 hours left on this flash deal, so be sure to snag Deadly 30 if you've got a hankerin' for some zombie shooting. As per usual, 10 percent of all proceeds will go to charity, and Headup has decided to support Child's Play, which is quite awesome.

[IndieGameStand]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: IndieGameStand celebrates Halloween with Deadly 30 for $1

Review: Virtue's Last Reward a more than rewarding experience

This mysterious hooded figure (Zero?) is a common flashback.

Like 999, Virtue's Last Reward plot draws obvious comparisons to the 'Saw' movie series, with a mysterious entity named Zero having kidnapped the game's 9 protagonists, forcing them to solve puzzles in order to escape from a mysterious facility. To force co-operation, the characters have all been forced into a bracelet which displays their current team affiliation and point total. Any player who accrues 9 points gains the ability to unlock the main door and escape, forever trapping the remaining players within the facility. Conversely, any player who either refuses to play the game or loses all their points will have the hidden needles in their bracelet activated, resulting in death. This, plus the revelation that one is the nine players is Zero himself (or herself), means that you can expect plenty of backstabbing and betrayal as the exciting plot plays out.   

Not the most stylish accessory.

As thrilling as the plot is, it's the puzzle rooms that are the real hook, filled with a fantastic variety of logic teasers sure to destroy your brain. It's hard to describe just how great some of these puzzles are without spoiling them, but let's say they involve elements as diverse as margarita machines, blood-soaked pool tables  and scratch-off bikini posters.

My thoughts exactly.

Using the touchscreen interface to navigate each room's is fairly intuitive, moving the camera with swipes of the screen while poking at clues to examine them more closely. Many puzzle solutions will involve combining inventory items together into new tools, carefully studying a piece of evidence in the file viewer, or discovering hidden messages within the room itself. In short, there's no shortage of new surprises being thrown at the player, and I never once encountered a puzzle which wasn't unique in its own way. Not to mention that Virtue's Last Reward goes out of its way to assist players with the tricky challenges, providing  a very helpful memo screen for scrawling out notes on the fly, and even letting players switch into "easy mode" in case their frustration levels start to peak.

Sometimes you press buttons. Yay for touchscreens.

Perhaps the most intriguing feature of Virtue's Last Reward however, is the branching storyline, with each choice you make in the game resulting in a new timeline to explore. What's cool is that the game allows players to hop around on these timeline at will, and it's incredibly intriguing to see different choices result in drastic new consequences for the characters. What's even more thrilling is that these timelines aren't simply treated as alternate realities, with the main character actually strangely aware of the choices he's made in different universes. This just piles even more intrigue atop a plot already littered with pandemic viruses, anti-matter bombs and  evil A.I. bunny rabbits, with "just one more timeline" a common thought as I played late into the night.  

Trying to figure out which character is Zero is a major plot hook.

To be fair, I do have a few complaints about Virtue's Last Reward. One major issue is that the plot often attempts to shoehorn in some rather misplaced humor, something which severely detracts from the depth of the otherwise chilling narrative. One minute you're discovering a dead body, the next minute the main character is cracking jokes about handjobs as his female companion works a lever. This is especially off-putting given the storyline's first person perspective, and with my character constantly being yelled at for making perverted remarks and trying to glance up skirts, I began to feel strangely uncomfortable. Not exactly the kind of immersion one would hope for.  Additionally, though uncovering the plot's mysteries is a thrill, the game has a very bad habit of sandwiching these segments between unnecessarily-lengthy scenes of colored dots moving around the map or doors opening and closing. I suppose the developers wanted you to get a feel for the facility's layout, but being unable to skip these tedious moments is a serious annoyance (especially when the plot has your character searching every corner of the facility in search of clues).

Here a character is asked if the game's sexual humor is actually funny.

Despite these tiny grievances, Virtue's Last Reward is still the best Vita game I've played yet, and I imagine it's just as good on the Nintendo 3DS as well. This unique puzzle title is simply not to be missed, and I look forward to dedicating hours to unlocking the remaining storylines, and solving the alternate puzzles hidden in each room of the game. For a game concerned with 9s, it sure earns that score. Check it out. 

Via: Review: Virtue's Last Reward a more than rewarding experience

Review: Cloud Atlas weaves six tales into one beautiful image

You can't deny the bravery of all involved in making Cloud Atlas a reality. Each of the six stories are vastly different in setting and style. The tales run the gamut from period pieces and crime dramas, to comedy and sci-fi. Once they're introduced chronologically, the film lets loose, jumping from one story to the next without warning. It may sound jarring and haphazard, but there is purpose to every cut.

Each story seems to inform the other, sometimes chronologically, sometimes not. An off-handed joke in one era may be a haunting reality in another. As we see the same faces showing up in different time periods, we realize that these are journeys beyond the span of a single life.

Beyond the philosophical questions of how past lives could affect our future, Cloud Atlas's tapestry of interweaving tales is simply stunning to watch. One particular scene may paint the picture of Cloud Atlas as a successful film better than any other: while an African slave in 1849 races to prove himself stringing up the sails of a ship at sea, a man and woman escape a hail of gunfire in 2346. The slave dashes across the mast of the ship while the couple perform an action-ballet atop a tiny makeshift bridge. It's up to the audience to decide which scene is more perilous, though it seems like one wouldn't be nearly as powerful without the other.

That's how most of the film plays out and it is stunning. Maybe not every scene feels necessary, but without one you get the impression the house of cards would crumble. One of the tales doesn't even really amount to anything, yet its ripples are felt in the others. The result is a film that's deeply engaging from beginning to end. Not only was I never bored during the entire runtime of Cloud Atlas, but I suspect it will stand up to multiple viewings in the way only true classics do.

There are tiny nitpicks, but I don't consider them damaging. This is a film that, in a clever way, asks the audience outright to have some patience and give its story a shot. Some people may actually need to hear that, but for my tastes it was a bit too on the nose. It gave me the impression that the creators don't trust their audience, though given the reception of the film so far that notion isn't entirely unfounded.

Another oddity is the result of telling such a time-jumping tale within the limits of a cast of Hollywood actors and actresses. While the cast is phenomenal and the make-up department deserves a raise in most instances, Cloud Atlas pushes the limits a bit too far at times. White actors may be Asian in one scene, an Asian actress white and freckled in another. At one point even Halle Berry is white. It's surprising how often it works but there are moments where it can be distracting. Distractions are not something you need in a film as rich as this.

Cloud Atlas is so bold that its tiny stumbles feel insignificant. This is an important film that pushes the boundaries of the medium. It is unique and exciting, but at its heart there is a simple notion: "Our lives are not our own. From womb to tomb, we are bound to others. Past and present. And by each crime, and every kindness, we birth our future."

Via: Review: Cloud Atlas weaves six tales into one beautiful image

Japanese Charizard 3DS XL is so hot, so sexy

Nintendo recently announced that a yellow, Pikachu-themed 3DS XL would make its way to Europe. Of course, that wasn't enough. As if those of us living in North America weren't already ridiculously jealous, another snazzy Pokemon 3DS XL has officially been revealed, and it's exclusive to Japan.

This limited edition 3DS XL features none other than Charizard, one of the coolest Pokemon ever. Behold as he graces that sexy black 3DS with his presence. So pretty!

The Charizard 3DS XL will be available exclusively through Pokemon Center retailers in Japan. If you really want one, you can send a mail-in order form. It should be noted, however, that you're trying to win the opportunity to buy this beautiful creation. Ya know, because massive availability isn't in these days.

Pokefans will be able to enter this cruel and enticing lottery between November 3 and November 26. Winners will then be able to purchase their brand new Charizard 3DS XL from December 15 to January 14. The handheld will be priced at 18,900 yen (which is equivalent to about $237).

[Pokemon via Kotaku]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Japanese Charizard 3DS XL is so hot, so sexy

Need for Speed: Most Wanted races towards its October 30 release date

Need for Speed: Most Wanted, EA's new racing title developed by Criterion is set to release Tuesday, October 30, which means we're just a few short days away from a totally open-world racing experience void of individual tracks and annoying game menus.

If that isn't exciting enough, EA has released a new trailer to get you amped for some high-octane racing. Buckle up, hit the gas and hold on tight; you’re in for the ride of your life.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted will be available for Xbox 360, PS3, PS Vita, and PC.

Via: Need for Speed: Most Wanted races towards its October 30 release date

Review: Sonic Jump is an addicting, casual take on the blue blur

The gameplay isn't incredibly original by any means, as you simply have to tilt your device left and right in order to move Sonic around, with the goal of landing on platforms and climbing higher until you reach the end of each level. That's right, unlike Doodle Jump, the levels here aren't infinite. Instead, they're split up into various Zones (all iconic) that you'll have to make Sonic jump through.

You'll not only have to dodge familiar hazards like spikes, you'll also have various enemies to take out. In true Sonic fashion, you can only damage enemies if you're in ball form, which means they can only be damaged when you're propelled up. As soon as you start losing momentum and start falling toward the next platform, Sonic straightens himself out and is prone to damage and losing all his Rings. Luckily though, Sonic has a double jump which gives him an extra boost in height, but also allows him to do an extra attack.

Of course, the Sonic influence doesn't stop with the level design and Sonic himself. You'll have various power-ups such as the shield to block enemies, or the magnetic field to draw in rings. Springs that propell Sonic high in the air also make an appearance here.

At the end of each Zone is a boss battle where you have to take down Dr. Robotnik or Eggman, whichever you prefer, in one of his crazy machines. You'll have to dodge his attacks all the while making sure you don't fall to your doom, and then hit him where it hurts once he's vulnerable.

Each level also has three Star coins to collect. The initial levels don't try too hard to keep them out of reach, but as you progress, you'll have to definitely pull off some trick jumps in order to get them. The game also borrows the mission mechanic from Jetpack Joyride in which you're always tasked with new things to do, such as collect a certain amount of rings, destroy 40 enemies, finish a level under 40 seconds, etc. These will undoubtedly keep you glued to the game in hopes of getting them all.

There are various unlockables as well as helpful items to acquire during the game. As each mission is accomplished, you're awarded with Sonic emblems that will level you up. Once you reach a certain level, you can unlock the ability to purchase items such as a net that will save you from falling and failing a level, or even characters to play with such as Tails and Knuckles.

To round it off, the game looks absolutely gorgeous, with its vibrant colors and cel-shaded look. The game more closely resembles the Sonic Rush games on the DS and 3DS, albeit at a much higher resolution.

I honestly don't have a single negative thing to say about Sonic Jump. It's fun, addicting, gorgeous to look at and only $1.99 in the App Store, so unless you have some sort of aversion to blue, speedy hedgehogs, you should be downloading this right now.

Via: Review: Sonic Jump is an addicting, casual take on the blue blur

Review: Silent Hill: Book of Memories Tries Something NewAnd It Mostly Works (PS Vita)

That's why it's refreshing to see something along the lines of Silent Hill: Book of Memories.  Handled by the development team at WayForward (Bloodrayne: Betrayal and the recently released Double Dragon Neon), the game forgoes most of the chilling third-person exploration in favor of a top-down hack-and-slash adventure, something well suited for the series' debut on the PlayStation Vita.  Though hardcore fans may be bummed by the change to more traditional action, don't worry.  WayForward didn't take the cheap way out here.  This is still Silent Hill, through and through.

The story focuses on an author who finds himself stumbling upon a book of his own memories in the main.  Though he's not sure how it got put together, he begins writing in it, changing things around in the hopes of somehow bettering his life, as he's not in the most glamorous of situations.  He then goes to sleep it off, wondering if the new memories will take effect through the world of Silent Hill.  In a way, they do, but not every change is for the positive, and soon he's fighting just to make sure he wakes up at all.

WayForward absolutely nails the tone for Silent Hill in the game's presentation.  Though it adopts a top-down display similar to the likes of Diablo III and other dungeon crawlers, the developer has filled the world with plenty of haunting visions, along with a few nasty enemies that can make mincemeat out of you if you're not careful.  (And, yes, Pyramid Head shows up as well.)  The perspective works really well for the game, and it's cool to have access to a map, in case you're having trouble locating things.  The cut-scenes are also quite marvelous, telling the tale with the same style as Downpour, but with better results here.

Likewise, the music is excellent.  Daniel Licht, the composer behind Downpour as well as the TV show Dexter), does some good haunting stuff here, and the dialogue sounds expertly executed, rather than half-hearted like most survival horror affairs.  The sound effects are good too, especially when the monsters start shrieking the way they do.  Yep, must be in Silent Hill, all right.

Where Book of Memories will likely turn off a few devoted fans is with its gameplay.  Rather than going heavy on exploration and solving a mystery, you spend a great deal of time battling enemies, then looking for items in each room and solving occasional puzzles, like one involving chess pieces.  While it does get monotonous over time, the battles can be fun, especially against bosses.  What's more, you pick up some cool weapons, including a large mace that can do some damage – though it takes a little time to swing.

Book of Memories also lets you customize your character as you see fit, though it's limited compared to other games.  Still, giving yourself a distinct look in the world of Silent Hill – rather than sticking with a lame default character – is a nice touch.  You can also team up with a friend in system-supported co-op, making battles just a little bit easier.  The online functionality works great, even though there aren't too many folks lurking around in the lobby yet.  Just wait, Halloween is around the corner.

While Silent Hill: Book of Memories won't be considered one of the best in the series, it is a solid return to form after Downpour mis-stepped so badly.  Credit goes to WayForward for mixing things up a little bit, while still retaining the spine-tingling level of creepiness that the series is known for.  Hmmm…maybe these guys should work on the next Silent Hill for consoles.  Y'think?

Via: Review: Silent Hill: Book of Memories Tries Something NewAnd It Mostly Works (PS Vita)

Defender's Quest set to defend and quest on Steam, GOG.com, and other PC download platforms

It's been a few months since Defender's Quest launched on PC. The downloadable indie title, which features addictive tower defense gameplay, will now be landing across multiple digital download retailers.

Defender's Quest will be available on Steam, GOG.com, Desura, GamersGate, and Impulse for $14.99. During its launch week, however, you'll be able to buy it for 33 percent off. It also looks like anyone who purchased the game directly from its official site will be able to snag free Steam keys.

You can expect Defender's Quest to hit its brand new PC download platforms on October 30. If you haven't already played it, I'd highly suggest you stay on the lookout for it now.

[Fortress of Doors]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Defender's Quest set to defend and quest on Steam, GOG.com, and other PC download platforms

Leak: Grand Theft Auto V coming spring 2013

If your wallet has yet to hate you for this fall’s lineup of excellent games (and your inability to say no to them), then it’s certainly going to with the way early 2013 is shaping up to be, especially if Rockstar has anything to do with it. Today, a Grand Theft Auto fan-site posted a photo from a European retailer that “officially,” if legitimate, reveals a release window of spring 2013 for Grand Theft Auto V.

“GTA-Five” posted the photo, which can be seen below, and though Rockstar has become accustomed, or at least known for, releasing their games in the springtime, this is the first, real leak for a release window. Many sites that have reported on this very same story have added that Grand Theft Auto V may release staggered like its predecessor (Japan received the game 6 months after the US release), which is possible, but it should be noted that Spring 2013 means it’s coming before we know it, and likely in its final stages of production, so a global, fixed date may be what we see with GTA V.

Though it’s extremely cliché to say in the gaming industry, time will tell with all these rumors, but for now it looks as though hell’s about to break loose in the spring of 2013, and Grand Theft Auto V looks to be apart of it, if not leading the charge.

Source: [GTA-Five]

Via: Leak: Grand Theft Auto V coming spring 2013

Medal of Honor: Warfighter video review

Medal of Honor: Warfighter is a First-Person Shooter featuring covert Tier 1 military operative combat. The game is a sequel to the 2010 release, Medal of Honor, which moved the long-running game series from its roots in WWII based gameplay, into modern warfare scenarios and true-to-life conflicts. The single-player campaign features mission play involving returning characters "Mother," "Preacher," "Voodoo" and others in operations after their service in Afghanistan. Multiplayer modes include 2-20 player support in which players have the ability to play as one of 13 real special ops units, from 10 countries.

You can check out the full written review, right here.

Via: Medal of Honor: Warfighter video review

Review: Funky Smugglers is an enjoyable & quirky take on airport security

The premise of Funky Smugglers is fairly simple. Passengers are boarding plane after plane, and it's up to you to make sure nothing dangerous or deadly gets brough on with them. As they walk through the giant X-ray machine, you'll see items highlighted in red that are a threat to everyone's safety, such a spiders, saws, uzis, hammers etc. However, you'll have to make sure to avoid any green items, which are airplane safe such as teddy bears, rubber ducks and coffee mugs.

The aim of the game isn't just to weed out these potential threats, but to go for the high score. Each time you place a finger on one of the hazardous items, you can leave it on the screen and continue swiping any other dangerous items along with it. This will build your combo multiplier. However this multiplier doesn't last forever, so you have limited amount of time each swipe to get the most amount of red items, all while avoiding the green.

The various power-ups serve to boost your high score even further, such as slowing or speeding up time, allowing for high combos, or giving you the magnetic powers which automatically draw every red item toward your finger, just watch out not to hit any of the green ones.

You can also take part of massive team battles, which has you aligning with a team of your choice, which in my case was Funk vs. Gangnam. Of course, I absolutely had to join Gangnam, even though we're currently losing. After you align yourself with a certain team, you earn points for them as you play. It's a neat multiplayer element which doesn't directly involve playing with other people simultaneously, but rather as a community.

It's almost become somewhat of a standard these days to include ongoing missions that require you to complete secondary tasks while playing each level. These include missions like grabbing extra two lives while at full health, toss items 20 times or throw 30 items without making a combo, just to name a few. These will undoubtedly keep you busy for a while, as once you complete one, a new one takes its place.

I also can't deny the amount of humor present in Funky Smugglers. The premise alone is already ridiculous enough to induce a chuckle, but from the caricatured characters, down to the description of travelers (Peaceful mermaid hunters to Atlantis or rough gamblers from Guatemala) you're sure to have a smirk on your face the entire time. The music also deserves a mention since it'll have your head bobbing from the very second you'll start your game.

Funky Smugglers is a mere $0.99 which for the amount of fun you'll be having, is an indredibly low asking price.

Via: Review: Funky Smugglers is an enjoyable & quirky take on airport security

No candy in the Halloween Bundle from Indie Royale, just some sweet games

Indie Royale has released the Halloween Bundle, and it's as sweet as a bucket full of delicious candy. The thing about this candy, though, is that it won't give you a stomach ache, which is certainly a plus.

The set of games included in the Halloween Bundle are Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse, Home, Pathologic, MacGuffin's Curse, and EvilQuest. As of this writing, the minimum price tag for the entire collection is $5.08. Paying $8, however, will score you the Preschtale album from C-jeff.

To reward the top contributor, Indie Royale has a special bonus for anyone who donates the highest amount. That generous individual will receive Home: Old-School Collector's Edition, which features physical packaging, manual, map, and more goodies.

There are just about six hours left to purchase the Halloween Bundle. There are plenty of treats in this one, so take advantage if you're up for some indie gaming goodness this Halloween.

[Indie Royale]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: No candy in the Halloween Bundle from Indie Royale, just some sweet games

Adventure Time on 3DS and DS goes gold for November 20 launch

Good news, Adventure Time fans ... Oh, why do I even bother? I already gave you the good news in the headline. Do I really need to dedicate two to four short paragraphs telling you the information you already know by beefing it up with extra written dialogue?

Yes. Yes I do. So ...

Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd you steal our garbage?!! has officially gone gold. It's completely complete! Entirely entire! Finishly finished! Yay for reiteration!

The game will launch on both the 3DS and DS on November 20. For a close look at the upcoming Adventure Time title, check out our full preview.

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Adventure Time on 3DS and DS goes gold for November 20 launch

Review: Video game reverence and infectious charm make Wreck-It Ralph a must-see

Ralph (John C. Reilly) is the villain inside a classic arcade machine called Fix-It Felix Jr. Every day is the same routine: when the arcade opens, Ralph becomes the bad guy of his game, destroying an apartment building until players assume the role of Felix (Jack McBrayer), repair the building, save the day, and toss Ralph off the rooftop. When the arcade closes for the night he returns home to his dump or heads out to Game Central, a hub where all the arcade game characters hang out or jump into other games.

One day the routine becomes too much. After all, Ralph isn't actually a bad guy, more misunderstood than anything. He decides his best shot at a new beginning is to jump games and win a medal. But he's still an oafish klutz, and his path of destruction causes a mess that threatens his own game world and the entire arcade.

From the little touches like the stilted way Fix-It Felix Jr.'s denizens animate, to the larger strokes like housing Game Central within one of the arcade's power strips, Wreck-It Ralph is flowing with creativity. It doesn't just reference games like Street Fighter and Q*Bert, it explores the little quirks that anyone who has spent time playing games can appreciate. Everything from glitches and cheat codes, to the ever-increasing complexity and graphical fidelity in games is touched on in brilliant fashion. The basics can be appreciated by anyone, but some of the little references in the background are so obscure they act as a wink and nod from the creators that says, "Yes, we truly love video games."

Even the games made up for Wreck-It Ralph are evocative and awe-inspiring. Beyond Fix-It Felix Jr. (which Disney released as a playable game), Ralph explores Hero's Duty, a mish-mash of Gears or War and Call of Duty, as well as Sugar Rush, a Willy Wonka-inspired Mario Kart clone. Sugar Rush is especially surprising. The film is already a hilarious examination of the quirks of video games, but then it pulls double duty and cracks jokes in a world made almost entirely of candy.

To say Wreck-It Ralph is funny would perhaps be the understatement of the year. John C. Reilly is a phenomenon as Ralph, leaving me wondering why he hasn't been in more leading voice acting roles. Outstanding performances by funnymen (and women!) like Jack McBrayer, Sarah Silverman, and Jane Lynch as well as a surprise performance by Alan Tudyk as King Candy make for one of the most well-utilized voice casts of all time. When Dennis Haysbert makes an appearance as the commander in Hero's Duty, rewarding players for their commendable performance in his booming voice, it's clear the creators at Disney knew exactly what they were doing.

To put it simply, Wreck-It Ralph is outstanding. While it may be a bit of a snake-eating-its-own-tail situation, Disney's Animation Studio even managed to outdo Pixar at their own game this year. As a gamer writing for a game website, I may be a bit biased, but Wreck-It Ralph is so much more than its reverence to video games. It's smart, funny, charming, and its plot comes together in stunning fashion. Any attempt to conclude the review with a clever pun about it deserving the high score would simply result in a kill screen.

Via: Review: Video game reverence and infectious charm make Wreck-It Ralph a must-see