Before Left 4 Dead 2's release, there was a lot of concern over how the game only took a year to be made. Fortunately, most of those concerns have been laid to rest. Left 4 Dead 2 takes all the great game elements from the original, and has refined them for an even more gore filled experience. Graphics have been slightly improved, there is more weaponry to choose from, more bosses, expanded multiplayer modes, and a smarter A.I. fondly known as the "Director." They overall length of each scenario the survivors will have to overcome to make their way to safety have also been lengthened, which was one complaint many had about the original Left 4 Dead only taking about two and a half hours to complete.

  Aside from the initial upgrades to Left for Dead 2, the game play is essentially the same. You kill thousands of zombies in some intense first person action, with the emphasis on both ranged and melee weapons. With an easy to learn control scheme, players will be popping off headshots in no time. There are loads of weaponry to choose from this time around, in both ranged and melee categories, allowing each player to find a specific weapon that fits their play style. My personal favorite combo is an M16 assault rifle mixed in with dual pistols, but whacking some zombie heads with an electric guitar is also a welcome addition to any arsenal. There is also plenty of ammo drops through out each stage to ensure you'll always be able to find that special weapon you had in mind. Regardless, the blood will continue to flow effectively no matter what weapon you choose, and trust me...there will be blood. Left 4 Dead 2 is incredibly realistic when it comes to the gore level. Zombies react properly as they're being shot, and nothing is sugar coated. Disembowelments, loss of limbs, bodies being literally cut in half are all frequent sights in this game. So players with a weak stomach might want to look elsewhere.

  As a single player experience, Left 4 Dead 2 is a fun game. The artificial intelligence takes control over the 3 other survivors in your party, and does a decent job of watching your back. On occasion, the A.I. will cause a survivor or two to pop into your line of fire, but that isn't uncommon with many FPS. When playing with a computer, its bound to happen from time to time. That's one of the main reason, Left 4 Dead 2 doesn't really start to shine into you look deeper into its multiplayer options. Left 4 Dead 2 is truly optimized for online play with up to 4 friends, and is best played with voice communications. Playing with other people brings a level of fun and excitement as a zombie horde comes rushing out of nowhere few games are able to capture. By working together, the game play becomes much more enjoyable. When playing with less then a full group, the computer will once again take control of the remaining survivors. This is where the A.I. does take a bit of a hit. The CPU controlled survivors seem to get frequently confused of who to follow, or even who to help if both human players get incapacitated by either a smoker's tentacle or a jockey riding on another player's back. This has lead to a few deaths while playing with fellow reviewer Kurt L. when testing out this game. Luckily, that is the only place the A.I. seems to lack in Left 4 Dead 2. With the help of something called the "Director", Left 4 Dead 2's scenarios offer something different every time they are replayed. The A.I. is capable of judging how well a player is doing, and throw new obstacles in their way making every level feel like new. Although the setting may be the same, the variation in the game's challenge guarantee's hours and hours of fun to come. There are also different modes of multiplayer, such as versus mode, scavenger mode, and for those who want some extra challenge there is realism which makes Left 4 Dead 2 incredibly challenging. For those interested in some unlockables, some of Left 4 Dead 2's achievements come with a few customizable options for your Xbox 360 Avatar.

  There is no true story to Left 4 Dead 2. Player's assume the role of a survivor and play through a scenario. Aside from some simple communications between the survivors, that's about it. The lack of plot doesn't exactly take away from the experience either, just gives the player less to focus on as they're hacking away at some mindless undead. Each scenario plays out smoothly, and players won't have a hard time figuring out to go. However there is a bit of a pattern to the game where you'll be running through zombie hordes to turn off triggered alarms, which is possibly the only repetitive aspect to Left for Dead 2.

  If you were a fan of the original Left 4 Dead, adding the sequel is definitely recommended. They're pretty much the same game overall, but Left 4 Dead 2 filled in all the gaps from the original. Left 4 Dead 2 is a better game, but still keeps true to the series. So anyone looking to slaughter some undead with your buddies, hook up that Xbox 360 headset and start playing online. You won't find many games like it.

Written by RB

Over and Out

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  Like many games in my NES collection, Dino Riki was a hand-me-down. Even at an early age I knew no one wanted this game, but being I didn't have a ton of games at my disposal just yet the Adventures of Dino Riki was a staple in the NES's gaming rotation. Those were very dark times, very dark. But, I digress. As you can probably gather from the game's title, you play as a cave man named Dino Riki. You throw rocks, torches, axes, and boomerangs at things that are supposed to pass as dinosaurs while you hunt for power ups that cause our small cave man to turn into a hulking man beast. Sounds OK right?

  Unfortunately, not so much. The Adventures of Dino Riki is full of annoyances that will make even a season gamer go into a fit of "nerd rage", as the game's mechanics are just...off. One of the biggest flaws to this game is the fact the player has little control over Dino Riki's movements. Like many classic flying games, the game continues to force a player to move forward as the game continuously scrolls upwards. Dino Riki uses these same technique, but fails to pull it off successfully as the game just feels clumsy. With the lack of control of the character's movements, the player is constantly bombarded with attacks from these so called dinosaurs as they shoot pellets at you. At times, these attacks are easy enough to avoid, but the game often throws you a curve ball as countless enemies appear from nowhere. The player's life bar only allows three hits, so good luck avoiding a screen full of those little white pellets of doom. The game will often speed up at certain intersection within a level, these boost of speed also increase those pesky dinosaur's attacks. Advancing to another level doesn't quite bring the enjoyment one would expect either. Each level is essentially just a carbon copy of the original, with minor differences like bosses and backgrounds. The Adventures of Dino Riki quickly becomes repetitive. The only real piece of amusement I was able to get from this game, is the light hearted music, but we don't play games just for the music now do we?

  Despite the Adventures of Dino Riki's difficulty, with a bit of patients the game is beatable. But for a game to be a success, all of its elements must come together in a complete gaming package. No matter how many times I've played this game, it continues to just fall short. Even replaying the Adventures of Dino Riki for review purposes was like pulling teeth. I can say with absolute certainty, this is a game best left in the stone ages.

Written by RB

Over and Out

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     What do you get when you mix an odd Japanese family, stealth based game play, and a mosquito? The answer is a Playstation 2 game called Mister Mosquito, and it is one heck of a strange gaming experience. Very few people have gotten their hands on this novelty game, and when it comes down to it that's all Mister Mosquito really is. The idea behind Mister Mosquito automatically turns off many gamers, since the player must assume the role of the most annoying blood sucker around as the title states. Overall, that's not an appealing prospect by any means but Mister Mosquito isn't entirely flawed either.

  As soon as the player turns on the game, he or she will be greeted with an extensive opening even before you get the option of hitting "start". This opening cut scene which basically just consists of a birds eye view of a house, as a woman calmly speaks about the family inside and that you are a mosquito. The introduction takes about 15 minutes, and cannot be skipped the first time around. It is a very dull, and annoying way to start off any game. However, the introduction is probably the longest cut scene in the actual game so that's one less thing to worry about I suppose.

  Once you actually get to start the game, you assume the roll of a mosquito that resembles nothing of its real life counterpart, which is probably a good thing. As a brightly colored cartoon version of the pesky critter, its your duty to gather as much blood as you can while not getting caught by the inhabitants of the home you've intruded in. No one likes a mosquito, and its best to keep a low profile as you buzz around the room being wary of insect traps while you try to suck some blood from your victims. Doing this is actually pretty rewarding, as the flight mechanics function well and the stealth elements make for some unique game play. Even the aspect of drawing blood from your victim comes with a little mini game where you have to watch the victims awareness meter, take too long and expect to trigger a fight sequence where you have to hit pressure points to calm your target back down. When you actually think about it, smacking someone in the forehead with your buggy body doesn't exactly sound like an ideal way to calm someone down, but hey for the game it works. A downside to this game is that it does come with a bit of a learning curb. Once you get a handle of the game's controls, and what it is your exactly supposed to be doing, you'll have little problem flying around your large environments, but be warned the controls are a bit awkward for first time players. As you progress through different levels, you will earn different color combinations to customize your mosquito. For how repetitive this game can become, its not exactly incentive for someone to keep playing deeper into the game.

  If your looking for some great story out of Mister Mosquito, this game definitely isn't for you. To be honest, there really is no real story other than the fact you are really starting to get under the skin of the odd Japanese family. They basically just complain that they're getting really itchy, and are accompanied by a strange cut scene of them going about their every day lives. Not really a bad thing, but like the rest of the game does get a bit dull after awhile.

  Now understandably Mister Mosquito isn't a game for everyone, nor would does it come highly recommended. It has its moments of fun game play, but in a complete gaming package really comes up short. If your just looking to expand your Ps2 collection with some novelty games, well Mister Mosquito might be something you'll want to look into. For the rest of the gaming community, perhaps your hard earned cash is better spent elsewhere.

Written by RB

Over and Out

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     One of the first games I can remember playing on my NES besides the Super Mario Bros, was a game steeped in espionage, conspiracy, love, and betrayal. No, I'm not talking about Metal Gear, I'm referring to a less known classic called Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode. Most people may be more familiar with the Top Secret Episode's successor, The Mafat Conspiracy which had a greater popularity. That doesn't mean the Top Secret episode is another NES misfire by any means. In fact, its quite the opposite. In many ways, Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode was years ahead of its time.

  Going back and replaying the Top Secret Episode specifically for review purposes was a real treat for me. Despite being a huge fan of the vintage game play, I find myself being stuck more in the present instead of trying to recapture the joys of my childhood. However, despite years of playing Golgo 13 as a lad I found myself truly surprised of what this game was actually capable of. Call it the ignorance of youth I suppose. Anyway, that's enough reminiscing for one review. Lets get right down to the point, and talk game play.

  Unlike many games on the Nintendo Entertainment System, as soon as you turn on Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode you will realize this isn't your typical 8 bit adventure. Right off the bat, you'll be greeted by a cut scene, that's right I said cut scene, of a helicopter flying over New York City. As the helicopter passes by the Statue of Liberty, is mysteriously explodes. The only clue to as why this helicopter has met its untimely demise is a shell casing from an M-16 rifle...the favorite weapon of special agent Duke Togo, aka Golgo 13. Now obviously this doesn't have the cinematic prowess of games today, but back in 1988 this is top notch stuff and sets the tone for the game to come. Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode is a very story driven game and cut scenes are prevalent throughout the game, as every time you talk to someone another cut scene begins. These conversations are filled with clues as to where you're to go next, thicken the stories plot, and look pretty darn good for an NES game. Mix in a unique, and non repetitive sound track and you've got a game worthy of any international spy.

  Top Secret Episode's mechanics are a mishmash of different elements, which makes this game so unique. It varies from standard side scrolling action, flying helicopters, to first person perspectives, even sniping missions. That's right sniping missions, where even wind speed and direction play a factor on your shot...mind boggling for an NES game isn't it? Now all these factors make an outstanding experience, but at times aren't executed too well. For example some of the FPS areas of the game, you'll use thermal goggles to expose traps, grenades, all good stuff. But do to the graphical limitations of the NES these parts of the game tend to be a bit on the hard side, as they are filled with annoyances and at times make you want to throw your controller threw your TV. That's a little something we call vintage frustration. I probably shouldn't hold that against the game itself being its from 1988, but hey, it is what it is. Controls are easy enough to pick up, it is an NES game after all, and I doubt players will have to spend any time trying to learn how things work.

  There are countless NES games out on the market, with a good number of them being down right bad. Its unfortunate that Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode has gone largely unnoticed being it was so ahead of its time. For those of you who haven't experienced this game in its hay day, I recommend that you try to track down a copy. Being we live in an age where game remakes are becoming more and more popular, Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode certainly merit's a modern rendition. It has all the elements of a top seller.

Written by RB

Over and Out

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     1942 for the NES was a simple game. It was a vertical-scrolling shooter where you take control of an airplane and your objective was to gun down bombarding enemy aircraft - a fairly simply concept. And "simple" is the word to describe this game in a nutshell. Sure, even 1942 is eons more complex and further developed than most Atari games that preceded it, but it doesn't add to it's overall package.    

     The gameplay itself is moderately fun at best due to its odd slowness. I say odd because the game should run on a high tempo, but the airplane you control doesn't swiftly move about the screen but rather drags like molasses, and it can be frustrating when surrounded by enemies.

     The graphics are actually pretty decent for 1986, but also look their age. They effectively convey what they represent without really wowing you. Though, perhaps the worst part of this game is the music - it is atrocious. Capcom, the well-known company that made 1942 and its far superior sequel, 1943, have a vastly impressive resume of NES games that feature some of the best the industry has to offer (I.e. the Mega Man series). However, 1942, the "music" is more like a collection of dissonant bleeps and glitch-like squeals - it is very unpleasant, and unfortunately, repetitive.

     It's not a bad game, but it's not great. Deeply flawed, but certainly playable as it is mediocre at best. Pick it up to add it to your collection, but it's more of a relic. I'd stick to the sequel.

-Kurt L.

     There is little doubt that the majority of us have seen Star Wars at one time or another. Its easily one of the most lucrative franchises in film history, loaded with all kinds of merchandise for devoted fans to buy. Whether it be plastic action figures, Halloween costumes, or reproduction light sabers Star Wars is big business. One of the main products for Star Wars fans has been the franchises branch into the video game realm. Now I know what you're all thinking, that the large majority of Star Wars based games aren't generally that good. Luckily, we're not going to even discuss those games right now. Instead, let's look towards the lighter side of the force with Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

  Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is easily one of, if not the best Star Wars game ever created. This choice based RPG allows each player to create their customizable avatar and throws them into the Star Wars universe 500 years before the events that take place in the original film. Each player will be able to choose from a male or female character, three different classes (Scoundrels, Scouts, and Soldier) each with their own special abilities, and numerous different face options to give each character a look that's right for you. The choices you make when developing your character affect your strong and weak areas in Knight of the Old Republic. Even your character's gender will have an impact on the story's development. Creating your soon to be Jedi isn't the only choices you'll be making in this extensive RPG, oh no, not by a long shot.

  From the start of the game, each person will be in complete control of the events that goes on around him or her. The game play is designed specifically around the concept of choice whether it be picking a good, evil, or neutral conversation option, or deciding to kill off a specific character you come across. There are plenty of choices for people to tinker around with as you try to decided what path to take, but remember there are consequences for your actions. Although some are more rewarding than others, it is up to you to travel the path of the light, or succumb to the temptation of the dark side. Either way, I can say with almost complete certainty each player already knows which path they will want to take before they even turn on the game. Its one of the truly wonderful aspects of Knights of the Old Republic.

  Knights of the Old Republic's game mechanics are simply a joy. Although the game's fight sequences are broken down into a turned based action style, it is intermixed with live action decision making. There is no awkward pause while trying to figure out what move to pull out next, as the fight will continue to roll a standard attack as you pick what you want to do. This keeps the fighting experience fluent, with a sense of real urgency that brings a player deeper into the RPG experience. Like the customizable character options, players will have a slew of weaponry and armors to choose from. These vary from the all too familiar blasters and light sabers we all know and love, but those are only the tip of the iceberg. Albeit, for 90 percent of the game we'll all be wielding our light sabers like any good force user should. Its no secret that force powers will also be a huge component in a player's arsenal, and there are countless offensive and defensive powers to pick from depending on what alignment you decide to play on. All force powers are open to the player, but a Jedi on the light side using dark side powers will consume more force points than a Sith lord using the same attack. Once your player learns of the force, with each advancing level you'll be able to add or advance force powers that you already have like the rest of your skills. The only downside to Knights of the Old Republic is you can only level 20 times so you won't be able to experiment with all the force powers in the game...so choose wisely.

  Being an RPG, expect every main character to be accompanied by a group of companions who are willing to aide you in your journey. With the fate of the galaxy at hand, no lone hero is capable of completing this mission and with good reason. As I mentioned before, the choices you made when creating your main character will effect your strengths in the game, and its weaknesses. These side characters will complete your groups package, allowing you access to things you might not have been able to do otherwise. That's not all your group is capable of however. Each character has his or her own back story that can be uncovered by talking with them, which could lead to more side quests. Also depending on their in game alignment, light or dark, they'll be around to chime in to praise, or condemn your actions. With their own unique personalities, you'll find yourself gravitating towards the few you like the most when selecting your group. There's nothing like having virtual friends by your side, but remember another character's skills might be needed for advancement. Try to keep yourself as balanced as possible. Another great feature to these groupies is that even when they aren't being played with they will continue to level as experience is earned. So the old days of having to level each player individually to keep them a viable RPG asset is over.

  Knights of the Old Republic is an incredibly cinematic game, and its plot is worthy of the Star Wars title. By now, anyone who is familiar with my reviews knows I won't go into detail about the plot because I hate spoilers. Each player needs to play the game for themselves to learn it's story's secrets, but anyone who turns on Knights of the Old Republic will have a hard time turning it off. This game's story is truly gripping, and filled with twists that will keep the player wanting more. Mix in some established themes from the franchise, and some new ones specifically for Knights of the Old Republic and you have a complete gaming package. Although Knights of the Old Republic is a long game, playing it from start to finish is highly recommended.

  Anyone who has seen a screen shot of Knights of the Old Republic knows it's a graphical wonder. Being a star wars fan, and being disappointed with many of the game's related to the beloved franchise, I can say with absolute certainty that this is the Star Wars game we've all be waiting for. No other Star Wars game has can bestow upon a player the feeling of what it truly is to be a Jedi. Few RPGs can captivate the imagination, and rise to the level of perfection that Knights of the Old Republic has. For fans of the original Xbox, this game is easily one of the best titles released for the system and is a must own.

Written by: RB

Over and Out

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     Lets take a second to set up a scene. Picture yourself alone on an island just off the Alaskan archipelago. The island is home to a dismantled nuclear warhead disposal facility, its been taken over by terrorists hell bent on launching a nuke, and its up to you to save some hostages, and put an end to this terrorist action. If you put all of these elements together in a video game you'll have the crown jewel, Metal Gear Solid.

  For those of you how are unfamiliar with the Metal Gear Solid franchise, it is one of the highest selling game franchises of all time and Metal Gear Solid is the one that started it all for the US market. Back in 1998, most action based games were what you'd expect. Pick up a weapon and let the bad guys have it. That's all good and fine, but Metal Gear Solid offered players something different, something refreshing. Instead of rushing in and letting the bullets fly like a typical action game, the point of Metal Gear Solid is stealth. Playing as highly trained government operative known as Solid Snake, who is a true bad ass if I might add, the player must infiltrate Shadow Moses and stop the terrorists. Sounds simple enough, but since this is a stealth game staying hidden is the key to your survival. You are heavily outnumbered, and if you try to just run and gun your way through this game it will simply spell out an untimely demise for our hero. The fact you start off the game completely unarmed doesn't help your cause either, but I digress. Using stealth skills to sneak up on, or around enemies to avoid large fire fights was a huge change for many gamers, not to mention one of the most rewarding experience you'll ever have in an action game.

  In its time, Metal Gear Solid's artificial intelligence was top notch. Enemies patrolled, listened for sounds, and followed Solid Snake's footprints that he left in the snow. Back in 1998, this made for some challenging game play to stealth/action new comers. But, this is 2009 and for gamers looking to go back or pick of Metal Gear Solid for the first time, the game's AI is very simple compared to many of our modern games. This doesn't mean playing Metal Gear Solid would be a waste in today's day and age, in fact its quite the opposite. To put it simply this game is a classic, and more than just AI earns that title.

  One of the defining elements of Metal Gear Solid is its cinematic quality was eons ahead of its time. With gripping cut scenes, tremendous voice work, and a deep gritty story, it makes it almost impossible to put the controller down once you start. Every character has purpose, every boss is unique, and everything about Metal Gear Solid's plot is down right cool. Now Metal Gear Solid wasn't our hero, Solid Snake, first adventure and the game makes hints of that. For many US gamers, the plot made comments about events that were basically unknown to us. The reasoning behind this was in Japan, Metal Gear was an already established franchise for the MSX with the release of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake for that system. Although Metal Gear was available to the US market on NES, its port didn't capture the essence of its MSX counterpart. I won't even get into the bastardization of Metal Gear 2's counterpart, Snake's Revenge. Anyway with those comments aside, players who haven't experienced Metal Gear 1 or 2, won't feel in the least bit lost with Solid's story. It explains itself, moves fluently, and leaves the players wanting more.

  There are few games that truly stand the test of time, and beckon us to play them over and over. Only a legendary game could make a simple exclamation point, a symbol of the stealth/action genre gamers recognize and love. I can say with absolute certainty that Metal Gear Solid is one of those games, and was easily one of the best titles available for the Playstation platform. Metal Gear Solid pulls those playing it in, and once it sinks its hooks into you there is no turning back. It was way ahead of its time, and worthy of becoming one of your favorites. I know its definitely one of mine.

Written by RB

Over and Out

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