Norman Major III
Review: Soul Calibur V
The next installment in the Soul Calibur series, Soul Calibur V, is here with a handful of old and new characters, new stages, and some notable changes to the battle system. The game takes place 17 years after the events in Soul Calibur IV. The story portion of the game follows Patroklos and Pyrrha, the son and daughter of Sophitia and nephew and niece of Cassandra.
Review: LEGO Harry Potter Years 5-7
The Lego games have truly become an art. As with all art, it is becoming increasingly difficult to review the games, and so I think that instead of giving this game a traditional review, I am going to attempt to give it a critique.
Before I do so, let me first just say that the game is great, and if you liked the first one, there is no reason not to get the second to complete the collection. I just wish that there was some sort of connection between each game; a way to import data to tell the second game what you have accomplished in the previous game(s). Any other issues you can read about in my review of the first game, as they are essentially the same.
Hands on with Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Norm’s Journey
When I sat down to play my three hours of Skyrim, I was only told that I was about 45 minutes into the game, yet I will still get to check out the character creator. It was clear that Bethesda wanted me to talk a little about the creation process, so I will, but later. First I want to talk about playing a game on limited time.
Review: Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
I have to state up front that I haven’t played an air combat game since Rogue Squadron: Rogue Leader, so I had a little trepidation loading up this game. I don’t consider myself a fan of flight games, but then I realized that I have played more than I had originally thought, like B-17 Bomber, Red Baron, 1942: Pacific Air War, Top Gun, After Burner II, all the Rogue Squadrons, Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron, Sky Captain, Pilot Wings, Super Thunder Blade and Crimson Skies. Granted, some of the games are for kids like Sky Captain, but I have had a little more practice at flight controls, but have played very few actual flight combat sims. Ace Combat: Assault Horizon really focuses on the chaotic and tense aerial combat that you might imagine our Air Force might endure, and it does a great job at making you feel like one mean pilot.
Review: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
The Original Ocarina of Time for the N64 was a commercial and critical success. It heralded a charge into 3D action/adventure, and invented some new mechanics that have been staples in video games ever since.
Review: Dungeon Siege III
From Diablo to Baldur’s Gate, the hack-n’-slash, looting RPG has had some successful titles. Some of my favorite local co-op experiences has been playing these types of games and, fortunately for Square Enix, these games aren’t too hard to put together. The formula is already written and the locations are easy to build on. What makes the game actually good depends on leveling-up, controls and the excitement of combat. Dungeon Siege III does each of these fairly well, but none of it is brilliant.
Nintendo’s New Console: The Wii U
Nintendo revealed their new console at their E3 2011 press conference. They officially announced the name: Wii U and let us know that it will be out sometime in 2012. They dubbed the machine Wii U because they wanted the name to follow the new direction they are taking with the new console: YOU.
Review: LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean (Wii)
Traveller’s Tales and Legos have been making games together since 2005. They have recreated some of the most famous move franchises of all time, including Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Batman, and now Pirates of the Caribbean. You would think that after six years and eight titles, they would have made some major improvements to the original formula, right? Well, yes and no.
Where Have All the 3D Platformers Gone?
Norm looks into the world of 3D platforming and wonders where is the genre headed?
Review: Thor God of Thunder (DS)
WayForward Technologies has been creating video game movie tie-ins for quite some time. They created the creative and challenging Dispicable Me: Minion Mayhem, and also Contra 4 for the DS, a faithful continuation of the Contra franchise. It stands to reason that they may be able to create a fun and challenging game based on Thor, right? Not so much.
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