Dark Void

Developer: Airtight Games
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: Jan. 19, 2010
Systems: Xbox 360 (reviewed), PS3, PC
ESRB Rating: T
Official Web site

In a nutshell: The Rocketeer is missing his rocket pack.

0:00 I played Dark Void briefly at CES 2009, and then again at CES 2010. During those sessions I was a fan of the floating, jetpack-based combat but not a fan of the severe lack of ammunition I keep running up against.

0:01 A blue light with a metallic logo flying in. Timpani-heavy drums in the background. Fade to white and the menu screen, a generic futuristic computer interface.

0:02 I choose Normal difficulty and dive into: "Episode 1, Chapter 1: Prologue." Introducing: An Introduction!

0:04 "Silver Watcher Sergeants are tougher and more aggressive." Thanks for that, loading screen! August 1938. Biplanes fly over a mesa. But they have jet engines? In the '30s? A guy with a jetpack flies with them. "The lateral stabilizers seem to have made the difference," says a voice in my ear as the camera swings behind the jetpack guy and I'm immediately in control. "Yeah, I have to admit I was a little nervous, but it's flying great." And it is ... the controls and pretty fluid and natural. The beautiful rocky outcroppings below help.

0:05 "Hold up, we got company." It's a thin, circular alien ship, with a rotating ring around it. Looks like something straight out of "Independence Day." "Look out!" "Incoming!" The aliens take out a jet-biplane.

0:06 Some satisfying aerial dogfighting action -- dodging their shots with gentle loops, then zooming to get them in my sights. The only sour note is the constant radio chatter. "Now, take them down with your rocket pack." "Take 'em out, take 'em out!" "Let's make 'em pay." SHUT UP!

***-->CONTINUE READING AT CRISPY GAMER<--***

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Army of Two: The 40th Day

Developer: EA Montreal
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: Jan. 12, 2010
Systems: PS3 (reviewed), Xbox 360, PSP
ESRB Rating: M
Official Web site

In a nutshell: Shanghai is exploding, but at least you're with your HARDCORE best friend...

0:00 I have no experience with the first Army of Two game. In fact, my entire impression of the game is formed by these two Penny Arcade comics, so you might say I have LESS than no experience with the first game. So I'm eager to see see what the relative lack of fuss is about.

0:01 "The latest update data for this software has been found." Really? The game just came out today and there's already a downloadable patch? It's OK ... version 1.01 should only take 75 seconds to download, according to the handy progress bar on-screen.

0:04 The patch is downloaded and installed and we're off on a magical journey. A city in flames appears in the background as the Army of Two title flies in with a metallic clang. Then immediate fade to the title in front of a blurry picture of the two skull-masked protagonists running away from an explosion. A bad Rob Zombie riff plays in the background. HARDCORE.

0:06 The background of the menu screens flickers between some grainy security camera footage of a sleepy Chinese alley, for some reason. I know this game is all about the co-op, but I don't think I know anyone who actually owns it yet, and I'm not about to play with some whiny 12-year-old brat on PSN.

***-->CONTINUE READING AT CRISPY GAMER<--***

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MDK

Developer: Shiny
Publisher: Playmates Interactive
Release Date: May 31, 1997
System: PC (reviewed)
ESRB Rating: T

In a nutshell: OK, I'm only 12 years late to the party. What'd I miss?

0:00 I've wanted to pick this critically acclaimed PC game for years, and the recent nomination for the Crispy Adventurers Club seems like the perfect excuse.

0:01 A pure ebony, muscular body with a pyramidal head runs in from off-screen and leaps on top of the MDK logo, sprawling across the top. Weeeeeeird.

0:02 I perform a "settings test" in the option menu and am amazed to see my computer rendering smooth animated 3-D curves. MY computer! The last time I saw 3-D this smooth on my computer was ... never, actually. I should play late-'90s games more often. Anyhoo, New Game.

0:03 "!!!Newsflash!!! A huge City Minecrawler is headed straight for the coastal town of Laguna Beach, USA." I'd ask what a "City Minecrawler" is, but that'd just be silly.

0:04 The game seems to have crashed when I got an instant message. I don't know whether to blame the game or AOL. Either way, I didn't lose much.

0:05 Back in action. Just like that I'm falling through the air. On-screen instructions say "avoid the radar." I'm guessing that's the green laser thing that's sending the missiles with long yellow tails from the ship below me?

***-->CONTINUE READING AT CRISPY GAMER<--***

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Resistance: Retribution

Developer: Sony Bend
Publisher: SCEA
Release Date: March 17, 2009
System: PSP
ESRB Rating: M
Official Web site

In a nutshell: Oh look, another Chimera to auto-aim at.

0:00 I'm really interested to see how the intensely detailed PS3 dual-stick shooter makes the conversion to the diminutive, less powerful handheld.

0:01 The title appears over a yellowed map of Europe and a skull and crossbones, only the crossbones aren't crossbones ... they're GUNS! YIKES!

0:02 Looks like the face buttons take the place of the second analog stick. I'm not fully convinced this'll work well. My fresh-faced protagonist looks out, rifle in hand, as I choose "Campaign" from the menu. I'm constantly amazed that a portable system can turn out 3-D graphics like these.

0:03 I choose Normal difficulty because I don't wanna be a wuss. "I had heard of Grayson, of course," says an unseen narrator. "Everyone had, in those days leading up to the fall of the London tower." One night in Manchester, Grayson's life changed forever. We see a mutant tower over a human on a slab. "We got a live one here. No. No, Johnny. No! Johnny..." Grayson's brother has been "changed." "We can't let him live." Bang! Bro's death sent Grayson over the edge, apparently. He deserted and tried to destroy conversion centers on his own. Months later, at the trials, he found "the law makes no exception" for desertion.

0:06 Grayson would have died in prison except for the intervention of ... Raine Bouchard, of the French Maquis. She wants help taking out a Chimera Tower in Paris. "Taking orders from frogs and a broad. No thanks, sister?" he says in his best "Rebel Without a Cause" impression. "So you lost your family," Bouchard responds. "Look around, we all lost family." Decent writing and presentation, here.

***-->CONTINUE READING AT CRISPY GAMER<--***

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Dark Sector

Developer: Digital Extremes
Publisher: D3 Publisher
Release Date: March 25, 2008
Systems: Xbox 360 (reviewed), PS3
ESRB Rating: M
Official Web site

In a nutshell: This game is infected with mediocrity.

0:00 I remember hearing some vague buzz about this game, but not nearly enough to buy it sight unseen. Now I'll get a chance to see it, and perhaps buy it, sight seen.

0:05 These minutes spent fiddling with the disc, trying to get the Xbox 360 to recognize it. I know this isn't the game's fault -- it's either GameFly's for sending a bad disc or Microsoft's for making a touchy system -- but I have a schedule to keep, so the clock starts ... now!

0:06 Close-up on a hand that looks like part of a statue, holding a tri-blade circular saw-thing in the pouring rain. The title appears in the foreground.

0:07 Oh, holy hell, there's a function for every face button, shoulder button, analog stick AND every direction on the d-pad. I'm never gonna keep this all straight...

0:08 The single-player option is listed on the main menu as "singlePlayer." New Game is "newGame." Man, I think I just cut myself on the EDGINESS!

Read the full review at Crispy Gamer

The Club

Developer: Bizarre Creations
Publisher: Sega
Release Date: Feb. 19, 2008
Systems: PS3 (reviewed), Xbox 360, PC
ESRB Rating: M
Official Web site

In a nutshell: Project Gotham Shooting.

0:00 I'm not usually a shooter fan, but I'm still looking forward to this one because of the good critical reception, not to mention the Sega and Bizarre names behind it.

0:01 A Russian guy runs through a snowy field, away from a shooter in a helicopter. He's Dragov. Now he's inside meeting with The Secretary! Killen is shooting a guy with a shotgun. Renwick is punching a guy out. Seager is wearing riot gear. Adjo is surrounded by people in the African savannah. Kuro is shooting people on the streets of Japan. Finn is getting beat up in a casino's back room. Nemo is hiding in the corner of a dark abandoned room. They're all part of THE CLUB, as the title screen says in bigger letters.

0:03 "Welcome KyleOrl to the club." Thanks, but please, just call me Kyle.

0:04 The options screen lets me edit the speaker angle and crosshair color. These are crucial options!

0:05 The only selectable options are Multiplayer and Tournament. There's no story/campaign mode? I'm told to choose a character that suits my playing style. I choose fast and weak Kuro, because I figure I'll need the help dodging.

Read the full review at Crispy Gamer

Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror

Developer: Sony Bend
Publisher: SCEA
Release Date: Sept. 18, 2007
Systems: PS2 (reviewed), PSP
ESRB Rating: T
Official Web Site

In a nutshell: Boy they sure filtered that syphon. Or, uh, syphoned that filter. Wait, what?

0:01 Since I've never played a Syphon Filter game before (I know, I'm a bad game journalist) I'll try the training mode.
0:02 Wow... they even bothered to make a backstory for the training mode. I'm supposed to be helping someone test out a new training obstacle course for new recruits. Sheesh.
0:04 There's a cut scene in the middle of training mode. Kind of odd to stop the action, considering I'm being timed.
0:05 Logan moves very deliberately. When he turns, he pivots at the hips, like a tank. When he falls he barely seems to notice he's falling until he lands. It's quite funny to watch, actually.
0:07 The hidden code to the keypad is 989. Cute. Also: "This is a functional door," ranks up there with the best lines ever spoken in a video game.
0:08 I like how it's easy to use the radio if you need help, but the helper isn't constantly chattering in your ear about how to do simple things like climb a ladder. Classy.
0:11 Combat training time. I like how the reticle resizes itself to show how accurate shots will be. Nice and subtle.
0:13 It's way too fun to jump out from behind corners and fire at people. Also surprisingly accurate.
0:15 Compared to Metal Gear Solid, the combat controls seem much more solid and robust.
0:16 A trainne, after a knife to the throat "That stings!" The weak attempt at humor seems a little out of place.
0:20 My summary of the overly long description of the rifles: Blah blah darts blah blah zoom blah blah silenced blah.
0:21 Amazing how my targets don't react at all when an electric dart hits them in the face, but once I activate it and BAM, they're down.
0:22 Aiming while zoomed in is surprisingly smooth and easy. I like the controls a lot.
0:24 Bring on the actual game! But first, some story. We're in the Kanuti mountains of Alaska. A plane flies through snow to dramatic music. A girl sits in a jeep in the plane. Some people blather on about targets and opponents. Logan is trying to be a bad-ass like Snake but it doesn't really work, mainly because the voice acting isn't nearly as good. "Tell them we'll go, but on my terms only," A robot could deliver the line better.
0:27 Jeez, they're still talking. The music continues to swell. I zoned out there for a second. Let me play, already!
0:28 Logan is shooting a gun from the van roof in the cut scene. That looks like fun! Can I do it? Please?
0:29 "Gabe, they were ready and waiting for us." "Yeah, they were waiting... but I guarantee they're not ready." OH, NO YOU DI'IN!
0:30 "Something's going on that Washington isn't telling us. I'll find out what." Ugh. So cliched. And I'm finally playing!
0:32 The sniper takes three shots at me out in open, all misses. I chose normal difficulty, not super baby easy pansy, right?
0:34 I come up on a guy hiding behind a box. I have to do a double take to make sure he's alive because he doesn't react to my presence at all. I shoot him point blank in the head before he makes the slightest move. Sigh.
0:38 These guys are uniformly awful shots. They can't touch me. I know it's the first mission, but sheesh!
0:40 So far, the combat feels a little sterile compared to more action-oriented games. I know that's not what they were going for, but the thrill was much more visceral there. Here it's just... clinical.
0:43 I really have no idea what anyone is talking about in these cut scenes. I mean I'm used to kind of tuning out the usual random game story blather, but it's amazing how little I'm absorbing here.
0:45 I "have been eliminated"? Really? I didn't even know I was close to death. Where's my health meter. Or is this one of those lame games where one bullet kills you? I play games to escape from real life, thank you.
0:50 So I find an ammo box, and I find I have to take out ammo. for each weapon separately. Can't the game just assume I want it all at once?
0:54 Whoops. Despite my superhuman ability to avoid bullets fired at very close range, I can't survive a short fall of about 20 feet.
0:56 A fall of 15 feet to the top of a nearby crate, however, is A-OK.
0:57 Boss fight time. "Red Jack" wears a kevlar suit and has a back-mounted flame thrower. He barbecues me before I have a chance to move.
0:58 Wow... on my second try, all I have to do is fire one bullet at the gas tank on his back. That was easier than most other enemies. What a seriously crappy boss.

Would I play this game for more than an hour? No.
Why? It's decent enough shooter, but it has tough competition. Stranglehold has better action and BioShock has a better story.

This review based on a retail copy provided by Sony.

Stranglehold

Developer: Midway Chicago
Publisher: Midway Games
Release Date: Sept. 25, 2007
Systems: PS3 (reviewed), Xbox 360, PC
ESRB Rating: M
Official Web Site

In a nutshell: John Woo Movie: the Game

0:01 The game opens a lot like a movie, complete with opening credits. Reminds me of Metal Gear Solid a bit. I hope the cut scenes are less ponderous than that game.
0:02 In Chicago, some guys break through a door. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, some guys drag a battered cop and throw him to the ground. Chow-Yun Fat's wife and daughter are in trouble. The cop is dead. I am CONFUSED!
0:03 More cut scenes as I start the game proper. The police chief gets a request from the cop-beaters to send one man. "I'm not sending in one man, I'm sending in a whole SWAT team. "No you're not" says Chow Yun Fat. OH SNAP! Nice cinematic camera angles and impressive facial animation.
0:04 "Careful Tequila! This is a rough neighborhood." Wait, my name is Tequila? Tequila?!?!?!?
0:05 Diving and shooting engages "Tequila time," which is like Bullet Time but with a crappier name. Shade of Max Payne here. Not that that's a bad thing.
0:06 I spend this entire minute sliding back and forth on a countertop. The slide is always perfectly smooth and clean, no matter what speed or angle I go in at. It's so ridiculous it's funny.
0:08 I spend 30 seconds trying to pick up a couple of guns before I just give up. Ugh.
0:10 So, apparently, if I'm at 109/120 bullets I can't pick up 12 more. If I'm at 108/120 I can. First of all, this is stupid. Second of all, shouldn't there be some sort of message explaining this?
0:12 Man, the action gets fast and furious quickly. I love seeing Chow Yun Fat's grimace as I hide behind cover, and seeing him lean naturally to dodge bullets that come at him while hiding. The characters really feel alive, especially when they writhe in pain as they're shot.
0:14 Apparently, Hong Kong has a real problem with piles of fruit and crates lying around. Someone should look into that.
0:15 Cut scene time. Tequila... walking around... looking for something or someone. He finds him, but the guy runs off, leaving a picture of the dead cop. Then some other guy shoots a watermelon. Tequila dives behind the cart, then it's abruptly my turn to play.
0:19 The last four minutes were spent in non-stop action. Guy after guy comes out from random doors. Only complaint: It's a little hard to tell where the bullets are coming from, and a little hard to distinguish the guys I'm aiming at from the dark backgrounds.
0:20 DAMN! I just dove right past a guy, pivoted in mid-air in slow motion and SHOT HIM IN THE FACE POINT BLANK WITH A SHOTGUN. The little explosion of his head was so satisfying I feel a little guilty.
0:21 It's standoff time, AKA mini-game time. Dodge bullets with one stick, aim with precision with another, all in slow-mo. Eh, I prefer the rest of the game.
0:22 Tequila time is a little wonky, constantly going on and off as I dive. Annoying.
0:24 As much as I like staring at Chow Yun Fat's ugly mug, he gets in the way of the camera sometimes. This causes my first death.
0:27 DAMN x 2. Shooting a gas canister brings down a small village of shops rather convincingly.
0:29 DAMN x 3! Precision aim lets you pinpoint parts of the body in slow-mo. Seeing a guy's eye explode in slow motion is just... DAMN! The whole scene is made worse by seeing him raise his arm and grasp at the bleeding hole. Eeew.
0:32 Watching an air conditioning unit fall on a bad guy in slow motion is the funniest thing I've seen in a while.
0:35 If I were watching this game, I'd probably remark "man, that guy dives a lot." Seriously, Tequila is jumping around like a Mexican bean.
0:37 It's really jarring to go from the non-stop action of the game to the relative calm of the cut scenes. "Why isn't this guy dead." "We ran out of shooters." LOL. I thought they'd never run out at the rate they were coming!
0:39 "Be cool, we got heat at the bar. "You brought a cop to our deal?!?!" Awesome firefight ensues. Wish I could play it...
0:40 ...but just like that, the demo's over. The teaser advertises "The most destructible environments ever created." Sure... if you like destroying lots of crates. A teaser video shows more action. "I told you not to go in alone." "I didn't, I brought my two friends," Tequila says as he holds up two guns. I laughed.
0:43 The video shows Tequila shooting up a casino, a temple and a natural history museum (walking on a Brontosaurus skeleton spine = awesome), all without breaking a sweat. Oh, and multiplayer! The video is almost as long as the rest of the demo!
0:46 I'm not that impressed with newly unlocked barrage mode, which allows for slow-mo rapid fire. Maybe it's better with bigger weapons.
0:48 Hard mode seems harder mainly because there are more enemies and less hits needed to die. I've gotten a little better, but obviously not enough, as I die rather quickly.
0:51 My third death in as many minutes comes because I get stuck hiding behind cover... I couldn't get out. Annoying.
0:55 After five straight deaths, the game asks if I want to retry on an easier difficulty. Maybe I should take that as a sign... a sign that I suck.

Would I play this game for more than an hour? Yes
Why? It's the best effort yet to recreate an action movie in a game.

This review based on a demo version downloaded from the PlayStation Network.