October 2008 Archives

Platform: Xbox 360
Reviewed on Xbox 360

Anyone could end up a hero, from the most powerful mage to a starving urchin. But in most role-playing games, players tend to start off as the urchin. That's certainly the case in Fable II, a game in which players start as a child, grow to become a powerful hero (or villain), ultimately exploring the wide-open world of Albion to become one of the most powerful individuals to pass the time belching and acting out sock-puppet shows since the fall of the Hero's Guild.

Platforms: PC and Wii
Reviewed on PC

Windows System Requirements: 1.5 GHz Processor, 256 MB RAM, 32 MB 3D video card, DirectX 9, internet connection, Windows XP or Vista

The Fun Machine is broken. Strong Bad's ancient game console that plays Videlectrix games, that is. And while that's a hard thing for Strong Bad to endure, it's all good times in the latest episode of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People. Strong Bad isn't the kind of guy to take a job to earn the great big bag of cash he needs to pay for the repairs (let alone purchase a newer console). Instead, he's got a convoluted plan that has him staging and winning a battle of the bands with all the cast from Homestar Runner. Along the way, he'll even worship at (and desecrate) the altar of his favorite licensed hair band, Limozeen!

Platform: DS
Reviewed on DS

The Tokugawa government has finally united Japan and ended the Warring States period, but that hasn't stemmed the tide of thugs waiting in line to be executed by Kage. He and a young woman named Chihiro are tasked with protecting a powerful princess – by hacking through a human wall of henchmen and battling the occasional boss.

Platforms: Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP and DS
Reviewed on Xbox 360

After Naughty Dog, the original developer of Crash Bandicoot, left the series for the pastures of Jak and Daxter, the orange marsupial has been passed around like a lukewarm beer at a junior-high party. Radical has, perhaps, made the best incarnations of this one-time top mascot, but still can't live up to the work of the original developer. Before this sounds too negative, understand that there's a lot to like about Crash: Mind Over Mutant, including the writing, the voice acting, the music, and some creative new mutants. Unfortunately, the game never overcomes certain major problems, and while there's fun to be had, it's occasional rather than a continuously satisfying experience.

Platform: Wii
Reviewed on Wii

Navigate your way around a series of mazes by tilting the Wii Remote or leaning on the Wii Balance Board, avoiding traps and pitfalls while following twisting paths to the final goal.

Platform: Xbox 360
Reviewed on Xbox 360

Capell, a poor, wandering musician, is imprisoned by the Order of Chains thanks to a case of mistaken identity. His appearance is so remarkably similar to that of Sigmund the Liberator, the single largest thorn in the Order's side, that Capell finds himself incarcerated and interrogated as another man. When freed by Sigmund's "Liberation Force," Capell finds himself with an unenviable choice: join the rebels or risk being imprisoned or killed due to his resemblance to the rebel leader – a rebel leader whose singular goal is to free the moon from bondage.

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC
Reviewed on PC

Windows System Requirements: 2.8 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, DirectX 9.0c compatible video and sound cards, 7 GB HD space, Windows XP or more recent operating system

Contact has been lost with the planetcracker USG Ishimura, an interstellar mining vessel that literally rips planets apart to refine and collect usable ore. To deal with the problem, engineer Isaac Clarke is part of a small team sent to restore communications with the Ishimura. Upon arrival, the problems turn out to be more serious than simply failed equipment – the ship has been overrun by something horrifyingly alien, and most of the crew have been spread across the decks as a slippery layer of gore. As Clarke battles his way through the Ishimura's decks to restore ship functionality and escape with his life, he uncovers elements of an expansive governmental cover-up and a plot by religious fanatics to end all life in the galaxy.

Update: Sony has confirmed that a revised version of Little Big Planet (in which the music does not contain expressions found in the Qur'an) will ship in North America the week of October 27.

Platform: PlayStation 3
Reviewed on PlayStation 3

Linger in Shadows is fancy arty stuff. As such, you could argue that reviewing it makes as much sense as reviewing wallpaper or a theme for the PlayStation 3. But the difference is simple. While emerging from the culture of "Demoscenes," Linger in Shadows is billed as interactive art. If it's interactive, it's fair game for a review. Furthermore, it's on the PlayStation 3 (aligning it more closely with games), and since it costs something ($3), Linger in Shadows doesn't get a free ride.

Platform: PC
Reviewed on PC

Windows System Requirements: Pentium 4 2.6 GHz, 1 GB RAM, GeForce 6800 or Radeon X800 video card or better with at least 256 MB VRAM, 5.5 GB HD space, Windows XP or more recent operating system

The King is in need of a new errand-boy, someone to hunt for treasure, collect tax receipts and search for long-lost objects. Little could the king have known that his humble treasure-seeker would prove so reliable and such an able general that the royal treasure hunter would be dispatched to save the royal heir and save the world.

Platform: PC
Reviewed on PC

Windows System Requirements: Pentium 4 2.4 GHz, 1 GB RAM, nVidia GeForce 6600 or ATI Radeon 9800 (or better), 8.5 GB HD space, Windows XP or more recent operating system

Geralt is a medieval mutant – one of a handful of warriors who quaffs foul alchemical brews to gain the power and reflexes necessary to kill the foul beasts and monsters that plague his world. White haired, suffering from an ill temper and a recent case of death, Geralt finds his amnesiac self returning to life just in time to see a stronghold of his fellow mutants robbed and his brethren slain. Fortunately, Geralt (known as the "White Wolf" thanks to his flowing white hair) has the swordsmanship and magical skills necessary to survive an horrific series of events and play a pivotal role in the battle between humanity, non-humans and raw evil.

Platform: PC
Reviewed on PC

Windows System Requirements: 1.2 GHz Processor, 512 MB RAM, DirectX 9.0c compatible video card with 64 MB VRAM, 900 MB HD space, internet connection, Windows 2000 or more recent operating system

In the mid-'90s, Microprose released Sid Meier's Colonization, a Civilization-like game that explored the foundation of the American colonies, diplomacy with and exploitation of the natives, and ultimately rebellion against the mother country. Now, Colonization has been remade, using the engine from Civilization IV, bringing an incredible level of polish to the classic game that saw gamers around the world settling a new continent and declaring independence.