Over the course of gaming history there have been a lot of Sonic games and here is yet another. Don't let my opening sentence mislead you however, as this is indeed one of the good ones! Sonic R is one of the more unique racing games released in the 3D era. Released for the Sega Saturn console in 1997, Sonic R was a racing game that did not rely on vehicles - oh no! - these characters certainly did not need them! Why would Sonic the Hedgehog, the Blue Blur, need a car if he could run faster on foot? And that is precisely what you race with - their feet. Now, not every single character is blessed with such lotus feet as Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles for example, but other series characters like Dr. Robotnik and Amy Rose use their own respective vehicles. In any case, I think the fact that Sega chose not to have cars for it's main three characters, as well as a few others, was a great idea. It truly emphasizes the concept of speed which they are so well-known for.

     There is also a surprising amount of depth in this game, as the characters (including the unlockable ones) each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some characters are slower than others, some are faster, some can hover over water areas while others sink, some have boost abilities, so there are definitely advantages and disadvantages to each character chosen which is a plus. In addition to the character depth, the levels in which you race are varied very nicely as well. There are only about five tracks to choose from, which isn't many, but they are all special in their own ways. The tracks really feel like they belong in a Sonic game, meaning they certainly stay true to the franchise.

     Being that this game was released in 1997, the Saturn was becoming a very much embattled system as the Nintendo 64 and Sony Playstation were dominating the market. The Saturn would be discontinued in 1999 to make room for the more refined and graphically impressive Dreamcast, but here with Sonic R, the 32-bit graphics are pushed to their limits and really show off their strength. Sonic R's visuals are lively and colorful, filled with vivid 3D environments with no pop-ins or glitches. The characters are also finely rendered, and the action moves smoothly. It is in my opinion the best looking Saturn game, and is the pinnacle of its graphical strengths.

     It features many familiar racing game modes like Grand Prix, Time Trials, and a multi-player, so there isn't anything too out of the ordinary on here, but that's fine, because it is this simplicity and the high production values that makes Sonic R a winner. It is very enjoyable, and certainly takes a unique twist on the racing formula. Another thing to its credit is that it really utilizes and represents the Sonic franchise in a positive fashion, and that is a good thing for Sonic fans as the Hedgehog has been thrusted into so many other types of games out of his comfort zone.

     The only thing that I don't understand is that why Sonic oriented racing games that followed Sonic R have Sonic and friends using vehicles? He clearly doesn't need them, and I think it only would detract from the appeal otherwise. Sonic R got it right, no dependance on vehicles, just pure unadulterated speed by way of running, which is what Sonic is best at. This game may be hard to track down since the Saturn is discontinued, but it is worth the hunt. However, it is also available on the PC (though that was made in 1998), but the easiest way to attain this game is through getting the Sonic Gems Collection for either the Playstation 2 or the Nintendo Gamecube as it is one of the featured games on that compilation.

     Pick up and play Sonic R, because if you are a Sonic fan, or a racing game fan, you won't be disappointed. It is definitely one of the best spin-offs of the lengthy Sonic franchise.

-Kurt L.

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     It didn't take long for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic to become one of the best titles offered for the Microsoft Xbox. With its great choice based game play, and unforgettable plot, KOTOR was nothing short of a legendary RPG. Needless to say, when Bioware announced that there would be a sequel to the smash hit, the proverbial bar was set pretty high. Fortunately, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords lives up to its predecessor's legacy but by no means surpasses it.

     Taking place 5 years after the events that took place in Knights of the old Republic, the Sith Lords tells the tale of a new Jedi Knight that served as a commander during the Mandalorian Wars, and was consequentially lost his (or her) connection with the force. If that wasn't bad enough, our new Jedi Knight was exiled from the order upon returning to face the council's punishment...ouch. Anyway, the Exile begins the path of drifting through the Galaxy until his ship is attacked by Sith, and he meets up with his new Mentor in the ways of the force.

     Unlike the original Knights of the Old Republic, players will start off wielding the force shortly after their first level up which is a welcome change of pace. Veterans of Knights of the Old Republic will feel quite comfortable jumping into this new adventure, as the majority of the game mechanics are virtually unchanged. Control schemes, combat, skill and force upgrades remain the same, but this time around players can equip ranged and melee weapons and switch between the two at command. This is a huge improvement that keeps game play moving, as players will no longer have to pause and search through a slew of weapons to find the right tool for the job. However, like the original KOTOR, once the player receives their light saber....odds are that's the only weapon they'll be using. Another huge improvement to Knights of the Old Republic 2 is the level cap has been completely removed. This allows players to become as powerful as they choose, and for those looking to put a good amount of time in one could actually master all the in game force powers although it is doubtful anyone would really want to considering the sheer size of the task.

     Being that the Sith Lords is a game revolving around the aspect of choice between the Light and Dark sides of the force, players will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the very concept that made KOTOR famous. The choices the players make throughout the game, have a stronger impact on the galaxy and are much more rewarding than in the original. It isn't very often where a player taking the path of the dark side can use a Jedi mind trick to convince an unlucky alien to give them all their money, then jump off a cliff. Anyway, I digress. Perhaps the biggest change to Knights of the Old Republic 2 is the ability to impact not only your force alignment, but the alignment of your team members as well. Through conversing with your team members, and having them see your actions (whether they be light or dark), their alignment will begin to shift. If the teammate you are trying to influence is on the light side, and you are traveling the path of a true Jedi, your resolve will echo through them and they will look to you for knowledge and guidance. However, if you are a Sith and that same teammate disagrees with your actions, it will become much harder for you to bring them to the dark side...that's not to say it can't be done by corrupting through making them question their own believes in some seedy conversations. Whether your alignment is light or dark, the overall experience is much more rewarding.

     The Sith Lord's story is an excellent one, although doesn't quite live up to the legendary story from Knights of the Old Republic. Depending on your alignment in Knights of the Old Republic, your actions will affect major parts of the plot in the Sith Lords such as if Revan became the Jedi's savior or if he left the galaxy in ruin. This is a good concept that gives continuity to the series, but doesn't answer many of the questions that were presented in Knights of the Old Republic 1. The voice acting in the Sith Lords isn't exactly of the same caliber as the original as well. Some performances are excellent, while other just come up short. Despite the feeling that everyone was indeed trying their best, some of the voice talent's emotional transitions just come up flat. Given that, The Sith Lords plot and voice acting still exceed many of the games that were released around the same time.

     If you are a fan of the series or never played Knights of the Old Republic before, The Sith Lord still has a lot to offer. With the same great game mechanics, and pretty good story, Knights of the Old Republic 2 is still one of the best titles offered on the Xbox. True it doesn't quite live up to its predecessor, but its still one heck of a good game.

Written by RB

Over and Out

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     Laser Invasion is a game that has contributed nothing truly positive to the industry. It's not that every game out there needs to be a gem to be a worthy contributor, but every video game, in one way or another, for the most part, has something to offer. More often than not I feel that a game from the past has some sort of legacy it leaves behind in your mind, as a fond memory of your childhood - be it a great game like Super Mario Bros. or a mediocre one like The Mafat Conspiracy, just to use them as examples. If that was one of your hobbies growing up, then you have some sort of recollection of that game. I wonder what sort of memories gamers have of Laser Invasion. It's a game I did not own back in the day, but do now, and frankly, it has nothing to offer and will be one I am sure I will soon forget about.

     Perhaps it's not fair to judge the game as I am because I didn't own it back in 1991, though I own it now in 2010, but it is my duty as a critic to review these sort of things for what they are, and were - depending on what I am reviewing. In a nutshell Laser Invasion is a poor game with many rediculous and outrageous elements surrounding it. First off, it is a blatant copy of the game Top Gun for the NES, and I am shocked that the fine company of Konami, with its impressive library of historic games, would rehash an already broken game play mechanic and pass it off as entirely new product.

     It plays almost identically to that of Top Gun, where you fly a plane and shoot down enemy aircraft from the view of the plane's cockpit. Sure, the graphics are much better, but that's it. And even with that said, the graphics aren't great. They have some nice nuaces, but overall, the look is rather bland and uninspired. Especially when flying of course, which is where you'll spend the majority of the game - up in the sky - and it is just boring and repitative. Another annoying aspect is that one shot kills. That's not a gripe that it is too hard, but, if the controls weren't so substandard, it wouldn't be that big of an issue. The aiming reticle moves fairly slowly, and you are quickly overwhelmed by enemy ships, leading to an equally quick demise - it stinks.

     There are many different ways to play this game, which is something to its credit; you can use the NES controller, but it's slow to react. You could also use the NES Zapper (aka the Light Gun), which is alright. But the most rediculous peripheral that this game was known for was the Laserscope. It was this incredibly cheesy pair of headphones with a mouthpiece that you would wear during gameplay to simulate the idea of being a fighter pilot in real-time action. You shout out something into the mouthpiece to fire your plane's weaponry, and there you go, another gadget to play games with. Personally, I have not tried this Laserscope, but it simply looks embarrassing. Sure, kids might get a kick out of using it, but, that is something only a kid in 1991 can remember, and cherish as a memory.

     Essentially, Laser Invasion was a knock-off and a reboot of the frustrating Top Gun game, and was a fad of the times. It remains as a time capsule of the year of which it was made, but leaves nothing indelible and memorable on and for the industry, aside from having the silly Laserscope peripheral attached to its identity. It's the kind of game that aged very poorly, and I'm sure if I had owned it back in 1991, I would have been a ltitle more friendly toward it here in my review, but, owning it today, it offers up nothing, and I love vintage games. If anything, Laser Invasion is a relic, and a shell of its former self, one that will surely fade into obscurity.

-Kurt L.

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     There have been a ton of first-person shooters made over the course of modern video game history. Some are revolutionary: Doom, Duke Nukem, and Wolfenstein 3D. Some are legendary: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and Goldenye 007. Some are respectable entries in the genre: Turok and Quake. And then there are some forgettable ones - and the one in particular I shall discuss is Hexen. Ever heard of it? Probably not. If you played the Nintendo 64, the Playstation, or the PC back in the late 1990s, you may remember it amongst the slew of other FPS's to be released around that time. There are reasons that many gamers today won't remember Hexen, and those who do, don't remember it as fondly as they did then.

     I remember renting this game back in the day and really enjoying its atmosphere. I liked it enough that I eventually landed a copy of it on the cheap. It was similar to Doom 64 in many ways because it had a very hellish and creepy feel throughout. It also had its own unique visual style, with its moody looking Church-like structures, the bizarre looking skies, eerie portals, and some really unusual looking creatures. What the game did well was its presentation - it was very convincing it was it was trying to do. It conveyed an outer-world like experience, hosted by a cast of demons and monsters. Even the games instruction manual seems convinced this game takes place unto its own universe. The music and sound effects were often quite effective, and that only enhanced its weird atmosphere.

     A game though isn't necessarily good just because it conveys an interesting atmosphere. Hexen, at least the version for the Nintendo 64, suffered some terribly blurry visuals, and fairly slow gameplay. Perhaps though, the most disappointing part of this game is its heavily pixelated graphics which looked decent in 1997, but look horrendous now. Of course, it's natural for games to evolve over time, but even for 1997, it wasn't a looker.

     To Hexen's credit though, it did offer the player some really dynamic choices. You were presented with three different classes of characters - the Warrior, Cleric, or Mage. Each character has their own unique style of attacks, and that is actually pretty impressive for such an old game. I usually pick the Cleric since he has a pretty wicked mace-ball attack, and he is also the most balanced among the three. The Warrior is the slowest, with the shortest range, but of course is the most powerful. As for the Mage, he has the magic, but is apparently the weakest. It provides some replay value for the player, but it is a shame that the game itself wasn't particularly captivating.

     I often found Hexen quite confusing, and it has something of a learning curve to figure out, but, it isn't a terrible game. It's forgettable, but, it does have some things of merit as well. Personally, I don't intensely dislike it, nor do I love it. It's passable, but could have been better, and ultimately more memorable. Perhaps I'll someday play it for the Sony Playstation - which I've heard is the better port of the game - but as for the N64 version, it's alright.

     In the end Hexen has essentially been hexed from the mainstream and relegated to video game obscurity. If you are interested in this game, you may get a cheap thrill out of it, but, it won't last. There were and are far better first-person shooters out there.

-Kurt L.

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     One of the defining video games of this generation, Doom, where a lone soldier, John Doe, is isolated on the distant moons of Mars, pitted against a cast of some vile demons and alien creatures, ultimately fighting for his survival, began on the PC back in 1993. It was one of the most cutting edge games of its time and is indeed a true classic. It was also ported to many different home consoles as well in the years to follow, for instance, on the ill-fated Atari Jaguar, the Sega Saturn, the horrid Sega 32X, 3DO, and Sony's Playstation to name a few. Though, the ported version I have decided to discuss here is the 1995 release for Super Nintendo. Unfortunately, like many of the other versions of this game, this port did not live up to the groundbreaking PC original.

     With its stark blood-red cartridge, Doom for the SNES really stands out in your collection, it surely does in mine - it is the only one that is not the tradtional gray color. I like the gutsy color of red (no pun intended) for the cartridge because it seems to emphasize and embrace a certain no-holds barred attitude in an attempt to be tougher than any game out there on the market. Well, sure, that was the case for the PC game, but that game was able to look macho in a floppy disk format! This SNES port pales to the original with its incredibly blurry and unrefined looking graphics. It's also marred with some terribly slow controls, but, in comparison to some of the other iterations of the game, it isn't entirely bad either.

     For the Atari Jaguar version, the graphics are far superior (as I suppose the Jaguar was a more powerful system, with its apparent 64-bit capabilities), but there was no music! How could such a thing exist?! Doom was not only known for its kick-butt gameplay, but its awesome, and thrilling music reminscient of vintage Metallica. In fact, listen to the music on the first level of Doom for the SNES, or the PC version, and you'll swear it is "Master of Puppets" by Metallica, it's pretty darn cool. Anyway, take a look at the 32X version of the game, it also had some decent graphics, but, the music was astrosis. It was a totally distorted and dissonant mess of a soundtrack, inducing some major cringes. Before I go on, I must quickly note that my information about the Jaguar and 32X versions comes from watching the Angry Video Game Nerd's videos about them, so thankyou Nerd!

     So after seeing those other two odd ports of the game, it makes the SNES one not nearly as poor as it may be. In fact, the SNES game has a really powerful riveting version of the iconic music, and its a real treat to listen to. If you can look past the weak graphics and the sluggish gameplay, Doom for the Super NES is alright, but nothing stellar. It is a functional, serviceable version of what is at the core, a great game, but unfortunately reduced on Nintendo's super console.

     I would stick with the PC version, and there are so many other ways to play the original Doom these days, that it sort of makes these inferior ports obsolete. However, the SNES iteration has a great take on the soundtrack, and it is still Doom, so it is very familar, albeit a lesser game. In the end, it is something nice to add to your collection, and with its cool red cartirdge, it will surely stand out.

-Kurt L.

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     For the most part, its safe to say that many comic based games are mediocre. Not exactly bad, but not exactly stellar either. But for some reason, the gaming community continues to get sucked in to these comic based games in hopes of finally getting the chance to truly feel what it is like to be their favorite super hero. Over the years, like many people I have been mislead down the path of comic gaming. With many hours, and money wasted on repetitive and unimaginative game play I was skeptical when I first heard of a new Batman game being released for the 360 and Ps3 platforms. As time went on, and the release date of Batman: Arkham Asylum came closer and closer a legitimate sense of excitement started to swirl around the Dark Knight. There was something different about this comic game. It looked graphically impressive, had a dark and eerie setting fitting of a Batman adventure, and the Joker causing mass havoc with the help of many other infamous Batman baddies. Despite my history with comic games, there was no possible way I was going to pass up playing Arkham Asylum, and you know what happened? The game turned out to be outstanding.

     Similar to the reboot of the Batman movie franchise, Arkham Asylum is the rebirth of the Dark Knight into the gaming universe. Filled with twisted, and mature themes Arkham Asylum is a gritty game developed for an older audience. Batman: Arkham Asylum begins with the Dark Knight speeding through Gotham streets in the Bat-mobile shortly after apprehending the Joker who is babbling insanely in his incapacitated state. After arriving at Arkham, Batman escorts the security team as they bring the Joker deeper into the heart of the facility. Before you know it, all hell breaks lose when the Joker is freed and all of the psychopaths held in Arkham are liberated. With control of Arkham in the Joker's hands, its up to Batman to put an end to the violent and deadly uprising...and believe me it is deadly. Unlike all previous Batman games, Arkham Asylum is filled with horrific murders, foul language, and a sense of danger that has never been captured in a comic game before.

     Being that Batman is greatly outnumbered, he has to use all of his skills if he has any chance of surviving and putting an end to the Joker's reign of terror. To do this, Batman must rely on stealth, the usual array of nifty gadgets, and of course putting the beat down with hand to hand combat. The combat mechanics work together flawlessly to finally allows players to feel what its like to be in control of the Dark Knight himself. Utilizing stealth is rewarding, as the player can skillfully take out all of the patrolling guards one by one, freaking out the remaining thugs left conscious as they begin to wonder if they're going to be next. Stealth is made easier by using Batman's Detective Mode which allows the Dark Knight to see through walls and locate enemies around his surroundings. This will let less confident players get a better jump on their enemy, and allow them to better plot out where the best place to set up an ambush might be. The detective mode is also used to help solve the Riddler's puzzles that are hidden throughout all the maps. These puzzles unlock numerous different game modes in Arkham Asylum's challenge mode, and the puzzles actually fun to figure out. Being Batman is a master of unarmed combat, fighting hand to hand has its own distinct feel and rhythm to it. Arkham Asylum eases players into the combat by starting the game with unarmed thugs, and progressing into armed and more aggressive opponents. This allows the player to get a good feel of fighting in the game, and before you know it, you will be able to string together seamless attacks against multiple armed and unarmed thugs for a truly cinematic in game experience which is highly addictive.

     It's no secret that no matter how great game play is, a game is nothing without equally great story. As I mentioned earlier, Batman Arkham Asylum is a much darker telling of a Batman adventure and is geared towards mature audiences. Although Batman Arkham Asylum's story is highly entertaining with great moments that won't be forgotten, there are just as many moments Bat-fans will see coming. Luckily, all of those moments are cast into the shadows as the story flows well and is mixed with unforgettable voice work. Anyone who grew up in the 1990s will surely remember the hit, Batman the animated series. For Batman Arkham Asylum, Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill have reprised their rolls from that series as Batman (Conroy) and the Joker (Hamill). For many people, these are the true voices of Batman and the Joker, and didn't disappoint with their outstanding work in Arkham Asylum. They deliver top notch performances, especially Hamill's rendition of the Joker. I can say with absolute certainty, if either Conroy of Hamill wasn't involved in Arkham Asylum, the game just wouldn't have been the same level of greatness it turned out to be.

     Arkham Asylum was a huge step for comic gaming, and with out a doubt the best comic based game ever created. With its entertaining game play, and outstanding voice work Batman Arkham Asylum was easily a contender for the coveted title of Game of the Year for 2009. It doesn't matter if you have a Ps3, or an Xbox 360, Arkham Asylum definitely needs to be part of your game collection.

Written by: RB.

Over and Out

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     Sonic the Hedgehog made a terrific debut on the Genesis in 1991, pitting himself against the rival Super Mario, who released his own epic 16-bit game Super Mario World that same year. While the two mascots were duking it out for the hearts of video game fans everywhere, Sega followed up its smash '91 hit with a sequel a year later - Sonic The Hedgehog 2. It expanded on the basic formula of which the original had established with its immaculate level design, catchy theme music, gorgeous graphics, and of course the most important ingredient: speed! Sonic 2 is bigger, better, and faster than Sonic 1 in so many ways, and has arguably become the best Sonic game to date.

     Sonic 2 features many enhancements over the first game that make the overall package much more engaging and tighter overall. First off, Sonic's controls have been amped up with the "Spin Dash", where you simply hold Down and tap A and Sonic will kneel down and he'll spin wildly in place revving himself up for a terrific dash through a portion of the stage. It was a great addition to the series and would return in some of the sequels to follow as it epitomized Sonic's signature of unfettered speed.

     Additionally, a new character was added to the mix as well. Players were introduced to Miles "Tails" Prower, known simply as "Tails" for short - as Sonic's spunky little sidekick. With this addition, it makes the series 2-player for the first time. However, when playing as 1-player, you obviously will control Sonic, and Tails follows behind you the entire time (until the last two levels or so). Unfortunately, his presence as a follower is marred with some annoying consequences. Generally, he doesn't really effect your gameplay that much, but his AI makes him a total idiot. He constantly dies, falls of cliffs, fails to reach higher platforms, and gets trapped and hung up on the varying spring boards across the stage. When all this happens, sometimes it is funny, but it also can be a little agitating as you are trying to focus on some tough jumps. Seldom will Tails actually help you in a boss fight, as he will occiaisonally hit Dr. Robotnik, but most of the time will get himself killed only to reappear later.

     Many of the levels in this game are iconic. It has about eleven in total, several more than its predecessor. For the most part, the levels are simply brilliant and much more vibrant this time around. They pop and dazzle with some great background designs, great lighting and graphics. The accompanying music is simply wonderful and wholly memorable. Even to this day, I can still hum almost all of this games theme music - it is that good. I would say the first four levels are clearly the best, and I gotta believe that level 4 - Casino Night Zone - had to have inspired the game Sonic Spinball released in 1993 (of which I previously reviewed here on Ethos). The middle levels are also quite good, and they are more challenging than the first few. However, the final four levels are a mixed bag. The Metropolis Zone is perhaps the most challenging, and also the most frustrating as well with some very tedious backtracking moments. The best of the final levels is easily Sky Chase Zone where Tails pilots a plane and Sonic stands on the front hood and battles incoming flying enemies.

     Overall, Sonic 2 is one of the definitive moments on the Sega Genesis and a finer game than the first one in this classic series. The first three Sonic games are definitely the best Sonic games in the hedgehogs lengthy tenure in the video game industry. Never since has the franchise truly recaptured the essence of its first three games on the Genesis. As I said before, Sonic 2 is arguably the best Sonic game ever made, and I highly reccomend it. If you haven't played this iconic game, you simply must.

-Kurt L.

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     Its been two decades since Metal Gear debuted on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Ever since we've enjoyed sneaking though jungles, military outposts, nuclear warhead disposal facilities, and taking out nuclear equipped walking battle tanks. But now, the time has finally come. The end of an epic journey has arrived, as the legendary solider Solid Snake takes on his final mission in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

     Its been the Metal Gear Solid franchise's legacy to continue to reshape, and change the way a player looks at the stealth based action genre. Ever since Metal Gear Solid was released, its tag line has been "Tactical, Espionage, Action" and the series has always lived up to that very statement. Being the final chapter in the Metal Gear Solid saga, Hideo Kojima and Konami games along with the technical prowess of the Sony Ps3 platform have created a masterpiece that will be remembered for years to come.

     Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is set in the near future, in the year 2014...and war has changed. The world has descended into full out proxy wars. War itself has become the global economy, and not even civilians are safe from the growing war machines. As you guessed, it's up to one man and one man alone to set the world straight. The legendary solider Solid Snake is up for this mission and finally put a stop to Liquid Ocelot's reign of terror, but there's a catch. Thanks to some accelerated aging, Solid Snake isn't exactly a young guy anymore. Aged well beyond his years, Solid Snake is now Old Snake. With Snake's current physical condition, his final mission isn't going to be a cake walk. If he is going to succeed Old Snake is going to need a few more tricks up his sleeve, and not to mention a little bit of help from some familiar faces.

     That brings us right into Metal Gear Solid 4's game mechanics, which have been completely redone but yet are familiar to veterans of the franchise. The name of the game is still stealth, even though Old Snake can still hold his own in a fight. Anyone who has played Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (previously reviewed here on Ethos), will surely remember the camouflage meter as Big Boss literally disappeared into his jungle environment. The premise of the camouflage meter has returned to in MGS4, but with a futuristic twist. Being dropped into active war zones, Old Snake doesn't have time to be constantly pausing the game to change camouflage outfits, oh no. Thanks to Otacon new design, Old Snake's new Octocamo is universal and changes instantly to match its surroundings. The Octocamo is an essential key to survival in Metal Gear Solid 4. Just by lying on the ground, or pressing up against a wall Old Snake will vanish and the roaming guards will never know you are there. With a quick shake of the Ps3 controller, the player can reset the Octocamo to its original color scheme (even during the cut scenes), which is useful when trying to blend into your surroundings quickly as it saves a few seconds on the transition time. This will come particularly useful when trying to get away from the incredibly tough unmanned war machine called the Gekko. Anyone who has seen a screen shot of MGS4 will also notice Old Snake's high tech eye patch called the Solid Eye. The Solid Eye is an upgrade from Solid Snake's old school binoculars, night vision goggles, and radar system as now they are all combined into one. Although the Solid Eye can't be used limitlessly as it runs on battery power that recharges when the Solid Eye isn't in use, it is a helpful tool when trying to remain hidden. It will help you spot guards from a distance, tell if an enemy is friendly or not and even highlight item locations for you. This same battery power that runs the Solid Eye also effect the use of Old Snake's Ipod which allows the player to use customizable themes throughout the game as their found, and more importantly the Metal Gear Mk. II. The Metal Gear Mk. II is just as its name states, a small Metal Gear designed by Otacon to aide Snake in his mission. This smaller Metal Gear follows around Snake in invisibility mode called stealth camouflage, and can be controlled to stun guards or retrieve items where Old Snake can't get to.

     With all of Old Snake's technological upgrades out of the way, all that remains is CQC and armed combat. Like the camo meter, CQC has survived the Snake Eater mission and returned for Guns of the Patriots. However that too has been completely revamped with an entirely new control scheme for MGS4. Unlike its predecessors Metal Gear Solid 4 does not use the O or square buttons for combat. O simply reloads your weapon, while square has no use at all except for switching your Solid Eye into night vision. Instead, in Metal Gear Solid 4, the L1 and R1 buttons do all the work by utilizing different combination, and pressure sensitive controls between the two. To aim a weapon and fire it, the player must aim with L1 and shoot with R1. To add in first person, the player must hit L1, triangle, then shoot with R1. And all CQC is now controlled with R1 alone. Sounds a bit complicated, but works smoothly. With more CQC moves available, players will have no problem taking out the roaming patrols with lethal or non-lethal maneuvers. Weapons are also highly customizable this time around. Players will be able to outfit Old Snake with a large arsenal of weapons, and attach accessories that fits their needs. For example the Old Snake's starting pistol, a .45 Operator 1911 can be outfitted with a suppressor and weapon light. All of which are optional, but gives the player another measure of control for that "Tactic-cool' experience. Although sneaking in the Metal Gear franchise, Metal Gear Solid 4 also functions as a typical shooter. Players can easily take out any enemy they see in Run and Gun fashion, with excellent combat controls, and advance through the game as they please. With large level designs, there are numerous ways for Old Snake to complete his objectives.

     Story wise, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is more cinematic in nature than many action movies released over the passed few years. With beautiful graphics, and gripping cut scenes, MGS4's plot is possibly the best of the franchise. As I mentioned before, the world has descended into full out war. Thanks to the Patriots controlling the aspects of human thoughts, and ID control through the SOP system, Liquid Ocelot finds a way to take over the system. It's up to Solid Snake to stop him, and put an end to this mindless war. What makes Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots so ambitious is how the story is told. Players will progress through 5 unique acts that will bring Old Snake around the world, and to some old battle grounds. It is an emotional journey as Old Snake is reunited with many of the characters from the previous titles, and all unanswered questions are finally answered. More importantly, we can see the evolution of all the characters featured in the Metal Gear Solid franchise, such as Snake's one time love interest Meryl, or the ever controversial Raiden who has finally come into his own as a warrior (although is still bit of a cry baby.) This evolution of character couldn't be more true than with Snake himself. Ever since his debut on the NES, we've seen the rookie Solid Snake become a legendary soldier. With his never say die attitude, the character is able to over come impossible odds. That same attitude remains in Metal Gear Solid 4, but we now get to see a different perspective. Not only are we playing as the legendary soldier, but an old man whose time is running out. This causing for a gripping, and emotional journey as the story progresses. Although some cut scenes are indeed a half hour long, they flow fluently and are highly entertaining as they tie in seamlessly back into the game play. Players won't mind sitting back, and watching each beautifully crafted cut scene. The cinematic quality of Metal Gear Solid 4 is unmatched by any video game released to date.

     With excellent graphics, story telling, and game play Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots has reached the pinnacle of perfection. It is an epic conclusion to a franchise many of us have grown up playing. Not only does it continue the Metal Gear Solid legacy of quality gaming, it sets the bar of what a video game in general can achieve. I could think of no better send off for such an influential character in the video gaming community, so this one is for you Solid Snake. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is an instant classic, and will be played fondly for years to come.

Written by RB.

Over and Out

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*2009 Ethos Critic Pick for Game of the Year*

     What was old is now new again! New Super Mario Bros. Wii is the new ultimate experience for the classic Mario Bros. franchise. For the first time since 1991, Mario is back in a side-scrolling platforming game, and he is back with a vengence. While some great and revolutionary Mario games have been released in that 18 year gap, most notably: Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (1995), the legendary Super Mario RPG (1996), Super Mario 64 (1996), Paper Mario (2001), and of course Super Mario Galaxy (2007), just to name a few, this new entry in Nintendo's flagship franchise harkens back to the days of the good-old NES and pays its most homages to my favorite game of all time - Super Mario Bros. 3. This is a game that I've been waiting for, and finally it has arrived on Wii, and better yet, it is a classic Mario game for an entirely new generation of fans to enjoy that provides a new outlook and serves as a history lesson on some of the greatest video games ever created.

     Mario Bros. Wii is a pure blast to play. It embodies everything that made Super Mario a household name in the first place: it has supreme level design, the memorable, retro sound effects, catchy music with new themes and ones from the yesteryear, and terrific visuals. This classic take on the franchise has been retrofitted with some new, welcomed additions. First off, the most obvious revamp was that of the graphics - we see a nice 2D/3D engine that was first seen on the somewhat similar DS game New Super Mario Bros. - but on Wii, which clearly has a lot much large graphical palette, the visuals are very well-fleshed out and look amazing, popping with some vibrant colors and make the case that 2D games can still impress and wow in this modern era of 3D powerhouses.

     As I alluded to earlier, this game harkens back to Mario 3, and it does so in numerous ways. When I played through it for the first time, I noticed so many nuances that referenced either Mario 3, or Super Mario Bros. 1, Super Mario World, and even Super Mario 64. From secret warp zones, to the Bowser battleships, to the classic themes, to the flagpole at the end of every stage, to the inclusion and triumphant return of Yoshi, this game encompasses everything that is Mario! It's just such a great experience.

     As expected, the control is top notch, as you simply turn the Wii remote sideways and it acts as an NES controller. You could also plug in the nunchuk attachment and play that way, but, it is actually easier to manuever with such the remote by itself. Initially I was hoping you could use the Wii's Classic Controller attachment, since it closely resembles a Super NES controller, but it doesn't work for this game - but after the first few stages, you just forget about all that and become completely entrenched in the wonderful experience of this game.

     One of the newest, and perhaps even revolutionary, concepts to appear in this game is the debut of the simultaneous multi-player feature. For the first time, you can now play side-scrolling Mario action at the same time with other players like you couldn't do before. In the past, 2 players would take turns and only one player could be on screen at a time, either as Mario or Luigi. In this game, you can play together, and Mario and Luigi can run about the screen wreaking havoc as you please. You can play up to four players at once (the two other playable characters are two differently colored Toads - yellow and blue respectively). Playing with just two players on screen is hectic enough, but, it is so much fun. You can pick up your friend and carry them through the stage, you can throw your friend into other enemies, jump on their heads, or work together and finely tune your teamwork - either way, it is a pure blast! For this aspect alone, the game is worth its weight in gold, but couple it with everything else, and it is an instant classic.

     The only thing missing in this game is an online option. And that is really my only gripe with this game. These days, most games are online, in fact, it practically is a staple for them to be so. Unfortunately, Mario Bros. Wii is not, and that is a shame because this would be an ideal game to play online with friends. This, and this reason alone, is why I gave the game a 4.8 out of 5.0, otherwise, this game deserves a full-blown 5 out of 5. I just found it a little strange because Nintendo seemed to really emphasize their new brand of multi-player action with this new game, but yet, didn't even include the multi-player intesnive online feature. In any case, this game still rocks, online or not.

     There has been a lot of talk of this games challenge as well. And yes, it definitely has a good, strong challenge, but it is surmountable. The game definitely isn't too hard, nor is it too easy either. It is the right blend of vintage challenge that I was, and still am used to with the NES and Super NES Mario games. The levels challenges ebb and flow throughout, and culminates with an utterly thrilling showdown with Bowser. In fact, the final battle with Bowser is perhaps the most thrilling fight you'll ever have in a Mario game - simply brilliant. The ending is actually quite challenging indeed, and I wonder how much more difficult (but also fun) would it be to fight Bowser with other players simultaneously!

     New Super Mario Bros. Wii is an instant classic, and one of the definitive reasons to buy a Wii console today. Indeed, Super Mario has made history once again as he has ushered in a new era of side-scrolling action that I hope continues to flow through Nintendo's veins for generations to come. It is a new classic, and ranks up there with some of Nintendo's untouchable elite. It is my personal Ethos Critic's Pick for the 2009 Game of the Year - try it for yourself and see why. It simply further cements Mario's indelible impact on the game industry and why he is such a icon of gaming. New Super Mario Bros. Wii is surely a game that I will be playing and re-playing for years to come. All hail the King of Gaming - Super Mario!

-Kurt L.

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     This game has gotten a bad rap over the years since its Nintendo 64 release. Cruis'n USA was the 64's first racing game and one of the first games released for the system back in its debut in the Fall of 1996. The N64 came out of the gate strong with the revolutionary Super Mario 64 as its flagship game. It followed with some other memorable titles such as Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire. It was in December of 1996, on Christmas Day, that I receieved the Nintendo 64 as a Christmas present, and what a present it was! I still have it to this day, and it works as flawlessly as it did the day I got it (compliments to Nintendo's quality design). It was on that faithful day where I received the aforementioned games, and of course the one I will review today is Cruis'n USA - as to reflect upon one of my many cherished Christmas memories.

     As I said before, this game gets a bad rap. It generally was a critical dissapointment at its time of release, and time itself has not been particularly friendly to its already damaged reputation. I say now that I disagree with the consensus that this game has garnered and appeal to you, the reader, to judge for yourself. Cruis'n USA is a fine, enjoyable - albeit basic - racing game. What began as a coin-op arcade racer became a port to the N64, and apparently the transition wasn't the smoothest. Nintendo edited out some of the more mature and supposedly vulgar elements of this game. From what I've read, the original arcade version had some brief sequences where you could hit farm animals on the road, and the ending of the game had the President of the United States in a hot tub with his wife - and these certainly did not appear in the N64 version. In any case, these omissions are irrelevent and don't effect the game whatsoever.

     I hinted that this game is quite basic, but that's ok - it is pure fun. You get a choice of four cars, and as you progress through the game, new colors become available, and with the new colors, the cars upgrade with better acceleration and higher top speeds. In addition, there are some secret cars like school buses and police cars that can be unfurled with a button-sequence code. The gameplay itself is rather straight-forward, you simply race your car against seven other computerized opponents, or you can compete against a second player via good-old split screen action. There aren't any wacky jumps or stunts in the game, nor any significant power-ups that can be acquired mid-race, no Nitro boosts and whatnot either. If you like those sorts of things, than by all means, there are a plethora of fine racers out there.

     The graphics, which seems to be the most targeted area of critic's complaints, is one that I don't have much issue with myself. Sure, the graphics now look rather dated, but for 1996, they were just fine. They stumble here or there, but overall, hold up fairly well, and don't hamper the experience. In fact, I say that for the time, it was one of the better looking racing games out there - only to be supplanted by future releases (i.e. the sequel, Cruis'n World, amongst others). Of course, in contrast to some of the other debut titles, like the great Super Mario 64, this game paled in comparison. Aside from that, the game is easy on the eye.

     The sound is another area of criticism, and I can agree to an extent that the music isn't particularly good in the game. The opening theme is silly, but fun to listen to. The in-game music can be switched any time via the pause-screen menu, but the selection isn't the greatest, with really only one or two out of the many being listenable. The sound effects for the cars though are pretty cool.

     So, yes, Cruis'n USA was not a great game, not a bad game, but a solid one. It may not have the big frills and nuances of a newer racing game, but bottom line, it is simple, good fun. If anything, it harkens back to the days of the simpler racers like Top Gear, or even Rad Racer, but, I'd say this one is better, because it has the more modern look. Hunting down a cartridge of it today is pretty easy, and won't cost much either, as it was a pretty prevelant game back in its time (sold over a million copies). However, it is also available on the Wii's Virtual Console. I would check it out if you haven't already, and if you like racing games, I don't think it will disappoint. I recommend it. Happy Holidays everyone!

-Kurt L.

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