Dark Sector (Review)

Back in '08 I downloaded the Dark Sector demo on the PSN. I played it a few times and forgot about it. Little did I know we would meet again... I just picked up a copy of it for $9.97 at my local Walmart. It was quite the "wow" moment.

Dark Sector is an entertaining and violent-limb-severing third-person shooter. You play as CIA agent Hayden Tenno. Threatened with a massive and deadly outbreak of the "technocyte" virus (think of it as a cooler T-virus), he is sent in to clean up the mess. Hayden suffers from congenital analgia: A (real) condition that doesn't allow him to feel pain. After the prologue, Hayden is infected by a bio-weapon--that reminds me of an metallic Arthurian knight--controlled by Robert Mezner; the antagonist. Hayden is able to reap the benefits of the infection. So instead of being driven to rage by the extreme pain of the strange virus, he gains the ability to use the "glaive": a three-pronged chakram. It's a part of Hayden's body and is very useful at maiming enemies.

The game is an over-the-shoulder type shooter. Hayden can shoot from the hip or aim for more precise attacks. He can take over behind obstacles, dodge, melee up close, perform "finishers" and do pretty much anything else you'd expect from a third person shooting game. The glaive is what brings the spice. It's damaging and can be charged up and even be controlled manually after being throwed (think of Heavenly Sword's "aftertouch"). You gradually gain these glaive powers in the beginning of the game.

Another interesting gameplay mechanic: after the prologue you cannot pick up enemy weapons anymore without them eventually just disappearing in a flash of light. This is due to an infection countermeasure. This is neat because when you find yourself running low on ammo for your trusty pistol you can use the glaive to snag a dropped weapon on the ground and use it for 15 or so seconds. Although, eventually you gain access to the "black market". You can purchase and upgrade weapons there.

However the game is held back by a few things. The voice acting is usually solid but sometimes goofy. There are also graphical glitches here and there that don't necessarily take away from the experience but certainly annoy. Also, enemy AI could use refinement. They're not dumb, but often rely on the same tactics.

Dark Sector is a great game to pick up if you can't afford Resident Evil 5 right now. It's sure to be sitting in a game store somewhere for around or less than 20 bucks. VERDICT: [3.5/5]

Warhawk (PS3) Review

EDIT: 3/15/09 The game now has a tutorial mode! Updated score: 4.5/5

Early on in development of Warhawk the developers scrapped the single player mode because they felt it was "inferior to the online component". Well, at least they're honest.

Warhawk is a third-person shooter exclusive to the Playstation 3. Like I mentioned before it is multi-player only. I must say that there are no other games quite like it.

When you begin a game you start out as a regular foot soldier. You get a pistol and two grenades. You can pick up other weapons like an assault rifle, a rocket launcher, sniper rifle, and even a set of binoculars that when focused upon an enemy unleashes a green death ray from above that is virtually inescapable.

However the real fun comes when you get in vehicles. Warhawk is a re-make (only in spirit) of the original PSone launch title. You can pilot fighter jets, drive jeeps, and roll with tanks. The vehicles can be controlled with the motion sensor on the PS3 SIXAXIS controller or with the analog sticks/d-pad. The control scheme is very tight and not confusing at all. You'll be in vehicles most of the time because they're usually more effective (however in some situations being on foot is an asset). Additionally you can play frenzied death matches with no vehicles.


At the time of this review there is no shortage of online games to play. You can also play local matches with your friends (just press start on the other controllers when you get to the stage). With the PS3 robust HD capabilities Warhawk may see a favorable return to split screen gaming (split screen looks wonderful on a 50" 1080i plasma TV... trust me). However, I heard that finding games that allow split screen online is harder than you would think. I guess the online community doesn't like it. (edit 4/11/08: actually, it's not very hard at all to find games that have split screen enable. I haven't had a problem.)

Warhawk has a ranking system that not only relies on the collection of "points" but "medals" too. Without certain accomplishments you are not able to reach higher ranks. As you go up in rank new customization options are open to you. You start as a recruit and work your way up into General status.

Another great thing about Warhawk is the way its maps are set up. Each map has many different parts and "configurations" to play on. The same map has 5 or more possible play areas.

The bad thing about Warhawk is the bewilderment. You are basically just dropped into matches (there was hardly any beginner's rooms when I was starting out) with little more than some tips that pop up on screen to obstruct your view and let you know how things work (they can be turned off, so don't worry). The only tutorial you can get is to just play the game. However, once you've nailed the basics you'll start having a lot of fun.

VERDICT: (4/5) If you have a PS3 you should probably have Warhawk. While the first few hours are hard and confusing the gameplay is very fun. You won't find combat like Warhawk offers anywhere else.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (Review)

Originally announced in 2004 at E3 Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII for the PSP completes Square-Enix's Compilation of Final Fantasy VII project; a project that has certainly had it's high points and low points. I'm happy to inform you that Crisis Core is definitely a high point.

CC is an action-RPG that elaborates on the events leading up to Final Fantasy VII. You control Zack, SOLDIER 2nd Class, that you probably remember from Cloud's memories in the original game. Zack is sent by Lazard, the director of SOLDIER, to investigate the apparent defection of 1st Class Genesis and several other SOLIDER members.

Battles unfold in real-time and you are free to control Zack. You can equip materia (you should know what that is) to access magic, abilities, and raise your stats. While you move Zack around the battlefield you can scroll through the command bar with the L and R shoulder buttons to attack, use magic/abilities, or items.

The game also uses something called DMW (Digital Mind Wave) to perform powerful limit breaks and gain short battle bonuses like one-MP spells. The DMW is three slot reels that contain character portraits and summon monsters. Numbers appear when the reels stop and may grant temporary bonuses in battle. The DMW constantly spins and expends SP that is gained by defeating enemies. It's very fickle and kind of a gamble but it's fun and a very interesting concept. When you match three characters you get to use a character specific limit break (example: if you line up three Clouds you use sword slash limit). The DMW seems to represent what goes through Zack's mind while he fights (I noticed that before performing Angeal's limit his voice coaches Zack by saying: "Show me your honor").

In addition to the main story you can do "missions" to obtain new materia and other items. New missions appear while progressing through the game and some are triggered by talking to other characters. There's a ton of missions to do and a ton of items to get.

However, it's not perfect. The game doesn't really explain the DMW system very much in the beginning and the voice acting isn't the best I've ever heard either. Also, I think that not everyone will embrace the DMW... Personally I think it's a very ambitious game mechanic.

VERDICT - [4/5]: Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is a great PSP game with a fun combat system, excellent visuals, and a pretty good story.

Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories (First Impression)

So I just bought Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories for the PS2 and all I can say is WOW (that's MOM upside down... by the way) this is one of the best strategy RPGs available!

Let me tell you about some of my favorite features:

1. Battle System. Disgaea 2 uses a pretty basic SRPG formula but spices it up a bit. The game uses the typical grid battle system where the battlefield is composed of a bunch of squares. However, instead of having each unit act independently Disgaea 2 lets you move your units into position, issue them commands and have them all act at the same time. After moving into position and giving all your units something to do you hit the "Execute" button in the menu to perform all of your actions in tandem. This creates some pretty wild combos. Also, there's a chance you can perform team-up attacks with other allies around you. Sweet!

2. The Dark Assembly. The dark assembly is a demonic version of Congress where all of the Senators are monsters (is this some strange critique of most governing bodies? maybe...). In the Assembly you select a character to address the monstrous "senators" and get them to pass various bills. Bills could be anything from having more items in the weapon store to creating new characters to use in battle. And, just like in the real Senate, some senators may be asleep and others could be drunk! In order to pass bills you sometimes have to "bribe" members of the assembly with items and if you really want to get the message across you can actually engage them in battle and beat the support out of them. Talk about a filibuster. (sorry for all the cheesy humor...)

3. Level 9,999. Remember how in Final Fantasy VII the highest possible level you could get your characters too was 99? Well in Disgaea you can get them to level 9,999. Yes. I'm not kidding. That's the highest level possible.

4. Style and humor. When asked to make a yes or no decision in most games you're presented with a menu that says "Yes or No". In Disgaea I had a slightly different decision: "Yes or Hell No". It has a fun, playful, and funny style with awesome anime characters. What's not to love?

I've only played this game for about 2 hours now (hence the First Impression in the title) but it's incredibly awesome and I'll probably be playing it for a looooooooong time.

A Case For Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is a critically acclaimed stealth action game created by Hideo Kojima. The game, while receiving universal praise from every major video game publication is often criticized for it's inclusion of a new main character and it's plot that many consider (and I'm quoting) "absurd" and "inept"

I can see why people would say it's "absurd". It is very absurd. MGS2 has an apparently immortal man (who after being shot in the forehead by the main character boasts that he's already died once and can't die again) and a digital life-form that claims to be subconscious of the United States.

I don't see why people complain so much. MGS2 as perfect as something can be. It exceeds the first game in every aspect, story-telling, gameplay, and enviroment both in game and out (Hideo Kojima told an interviewer that when the main characters is outside the fan in the Playstation 2 console actually runs faster in an attempt to create more dust in the room that the game is being played in)

Let's focus on gameplay: at it's time Metal Gear Solid 2 had an unprecedented amount of detail. bags of flour can be shot to produce hazy clouds of powder, pipes can be shot to release steam, you can break mirrors and windows, hide in lockers, and the list goes on and on. The enemy AI is extremely intelligent and deadly in combat. They perform clearings in suspicious areas and work in teams.

There's a plethora of weapons and items available ranging from cardboard boxes, to assault rifles, to anti-depressants to steady your hand. Even dirty magazines can be used to distract guards on patrol.

In conclusion it's hard for me to imagine someone actually playing Metal Gear Solid 2 and walking away from it unsatisfied. It is one of the greatest achievements in gaming, writing, and story presentation ever and definitely one of the finest games on the PS2.