Filed under: Metareviews

Metareview -- Moon (DS)

by Alexander Sliwinski { 9 months ago }

Developer Renegade Kid has shown it is quite technically proficient when it comes to making a first-person shooter on the DS. In 2007, it surprised us with Dementium: The Ward, and now the small development team brings Moon to the dual screens of the DS. The early reviews are all across the map in raw score, but they seem to chime in on the game's technical achievement and certain gameplay issues. Wait, read a review instead of just looking at the number? We know, this is madness we speak of.

IGN (85/100): "When it comes to making a purchase decision on Moon, I encourage anyone that loves FPS games on DS to check this one out, as its technical offering, story, design, style, and control are all amazingly well done. The game can certainly get repetitive at times, as a few bosses are used multiple times with compounding difficulty elements added to them to change things up a bit ... but for the most part Renegade Kid has offered an experience that's more tuned towards the adventure side of things, adding in plenty of combat to keep the experience fresh."
Nintendo Power (75/100): "Quickly becoming the torchbearers for the FPS genre on the DS, Renegade Kid builds on lessons learned from last year's horror title Dementium: The Ward... the game ratchets up the action... compelling story and diverse gameplay."
Modojo (60/100): "We have mixed feelings with Moon. It's a superb visual achievement with spectacular controls and fun shooting, but we grew tired of the old school "hit this switch to activate this door" gameplay. So long as you go into it expecting a slow-paced first person adventure instead of Doom, you'll enjoy this lunar vacation."
GamePro (40/100): "Moon proves itself as a creepy and innovative portable FPS experience, weighed down by a severe lack of challenge and variety."

Metareview -- Lord of the Rings: Conquest (PS3, 360)

by Randy Nelson { 9 months ago }

EA got the folks who made the rather excellent Star Wars: Battlefront II to make Lord of the Rings: ~~Battlefront~~ Conquest, so it, too, must be rather excellent? Despite the source material, developer pedigree and the fact that you can play as the bad guys, the reviews -- which admonish its "ropey visuals" and "redundant gameplay" -- do not smile kindly on this latest video game jaunt through Tolkien's Middle Earth. Sauron's eye casts its gaze on the scores and summaries below.

IGN (70/100): "Diehard fans of both online, class-based games and The Lord of the Rings might want to invest the sixty bucks, but if redundant and unimaginative gameplay are things you despise, you'll want to steer clear."
GameSpot (65/100): "The Lord of the Rings: Conquest is an exciting and action-packed way to experience Middle-earth, provided that you have the patience and fortitude to shoulder a few frustrating burdens."
Eurogamer (50/100): "While there is some enjoyment to be had here, it is hard-won and rarely fulfilling. The imprecision of the combat and its lightweight feel combined with the ropey visuals conspire to date the game considerably."
Official Xbox Magazine (40/100): "It'd be too easy to say that Conquest will appeal only to diehard Tolkien fans; in fact, they're the ones most likely to hate it."

Metareview -- Persona 4 (PS2)

by Randy Nelson { 11 months ago }

You might look at this metareview's title and think we've made a mistake. No one makes PS2 games anymore. Not so, and as any RPG player worth their elixir knows, Atlus has been prepping the latest in its acclaimed Persona series for release on the last-gen system. Now it's here, and the reviews – praising everything from its characters to its gameplay and voice acting as best-of-breed – are absolutely glowing. (In the sense that they're really good, not "turn off your monitor and back away slowly.")

Game|Life (100/100): "The truly stunning thing about Persona 4 is that it just doesn't have any glaring flaws. Even though it doesn't stand up to the graphics of the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, the clever art style makes up for that. Those who despise reading large blocks of text in games will be pleasantly surprised by the solid voice-over work applied to almost every conversation."
1UP (A+): "What really sets Persona 4 apart, though, is its endearing, relatable cast. "
GamePro (100/100): "I can't recommend this innovative experience highly enough, and from first time visitors to the Velvet Room to jaded MegaTen fanatics, Persona 4 is an absolute must buy."
WorthPlaying (95/100): "Everything – from the story to the combat system to the dungeon crawling and Social Links – has been improved. Considering that Persona 3 was already an excellent game, Persona 4 is a true standout.

Metareview - Prince of Persia (PC, PS3, 360)

by Ludwig Kietzmann { 11 months ago }

Devoid of generic rage and frustrating deaths, Prince of Persia marks quite an easy, effortless end to 2008's video game gauntlet -- at least, according to reviewers. Though the platforming has been simplified, most seem to agree that the expansive world and chemistry between the two lead characters make for a worthwhile experience. We're also seeing the word "magical" appear quite often.

IGN UK (94/100) calls Prince of Persia an "incredibly polished, tremendously enjoyable and utterly lovable experience." It supposedly builds on the best elements of previous games to create an "absolutely unforgettable adventure" that's "magical in every sense of the word." Well, probably not the Harry Potter sense of the word.
Game Informer (87.5/100) notes that the simplified platforming is an "elegant and simple way to show off thrilling acrobatics, but it also steals control away from the player." However, it deems the tradeoff worthwhile, as "the more relaxed control input still demands skill and careful timing." Either way, it's "unlike any other game you'll play this year."
1UP (B+) approves of Princess rescuing Prince, pointing out that while "this human safety net may seem counterintuitive in offering a sense of challenge, the entire process functions similarly to most other death-checkpoint systems (you die, you go back to a nearby checkpoint), but with the added benefit of giving the action a more seamless feel."
Gamespot (80/100) thinks the "easygoing joy and visual beauty will charm you into forgiving a sprinkling of flaws." They call it "one of the easiest games you'll play all year," but one boasting "some truly impressive level design."

Meta-Metareview: The best reviewed games of 2008

by Randy Nelson { 11 months ago }

With almost all of the big games of '08 now on shelves (we're looking at you, Prince of Persia) or available via Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, you're left with a lot of choices. Some of them you've already bought; others you've been on the fence over; others you didn't realize were "supposed to be" any good – but, if you're anything like us, you don't want to miss any of the must-plays this year has to offer.

Enter our "meta-metareview," a list of every game released this year that's scored above 85% on average from reviewers around the world. You won't be surprised by the games that made the list; you will be surprised that some of your (and our) favorites didn't make it. Check out the full list after the break and please, before you send us a nasty email because Castle Crashers didn't make it on, remember that them's the (sometimes painful) breaks with aggregate scoring.

Some fun facts:

October was the most crowded month for quality titles with 12 released, followed by November (8), September (7) and April (6).
Breaking it down by console, PlayStation 3 has the most presence on the list with 22 titles, followed by Xbox 360 (20), PC (15), Wii (8), DS (7), PSP (2) and PS2 (1).
The best-reviewed game this year? April's Grand Theft Auto IV (98%), followed by a three-way tie between LittleBigPlanet, BioShock (PS3) and World of Goo (95%) -- all three of which were released in October. Metal Gear Solid 4 and Wrath of the Lich King are the next tier below at 94%.
Of the 55 titles listed, 12 (or approximately 22%) were not based on an existing franchise: Sins of a Solar Empire, Patapon, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, Braid, The World Ends with You, Boom Blox, World of Goo, GRID, Pure, LittleBigPlanet, Dead Space and Valkyria Chronicles.

Continued →

Metareview -- Alone in the Dark ... Inferno! (PS3)

by Jason Dobson { 11 months ago }

Not even leaving the PS3 version of Alone in the Dark on broil for several months was enough to bake out all of the problems maligning Atari's Central Park adventure. While so far the game has escaped the bulk of scathing reviews enjoyed by its Xbox 360 and PC cousins, the re-dubbed Alone in the Dark: Inferno still left many reviewers lukewarm with tepid gameplay resting beneath the title's extra-crispy exterior.

1UP (B-): "Alone in the Dark still has problems; all the technical fixes in the world can't make up for the dopey plot, unsatisfying endings, and the ridiculous reliance on fire to kill virtually all of the game's enemies, and the new PS3 sequence basically amounts to a bonus boss encounter that isn't enough to draw in anyone who's already played the game."
Game Informer (73/100): "Unfortunately, the clumsy story remains the same and I still came across the occasional glitch. But make no mistake, Inferno is the definitive version of Alone in the Dark."
Eurogamer (70/100): "It's easier to forgive the problems that remain, but you still have to accept that you'll be thrown in the deep end a lot, and that a layer of polish is still absent."
Play UK (70/100): "Once you end up burning Lucifer's roots in Central Park there is still the problem of the whole thing just being not very good."

Metareview -- Ninjatown (DS)

by Justin McElroy { 11 months ago }

We have a tendency to miss metareviewing portable games, especially when they're caught up in the mad flood of holiday releases. But Ninjatown has been getting such good scores we figured it deserved its moment in the sun, especially since you'll be able to pick it up for $15 on Friday. ... And yes, OK, it's kind of a slow news day. So sue us.

GameShark (91/100): "Ninjatown has 'sleeper hit' written all over it. It certainly looks innocent enough on the outside – it's cute and goofy, and oozes sugary sweetness, as it's actually based on a stuffed toy line (the Shawnimals, created by ex game journo Shawn Smith). But underneath that fluffy exterior is a seriously addictive tower defense game that is as hardcore as it is adorable."
Game Informer (90/100): "Don't let the cutie-pie exterior fool you - Ninjatown is a gamer's game through and through. The units in this tower-defense title are versatile and useful, enemies are diverse and deadly, and there are enough power-ups and options to keep things fresh. Best of all, levels don't seem to have a preset way to beat them, unlike many tower-defense games on the market."
1UP (B+): "Ninjatown's layered in a coating of sickly sweetness that no amount of scrubbing will ever get out of your DS slot, but this obviously wasn't a game rushed out just to peddle Shawnimals merchandise. If you can get past the saccharine coating of the Ninjatown world, you'll find a surprisingly good tower defense?style filling hidden inside the hard candy shell."
GameDaily (80/100): "Once you're done admiring the charming and colorful artwork that encompasses the Ninjatown box, you'll soon realize there's a deep, addictive and challenging game for your DS inside. Ninjatown takes the fast-thinking, reactionary gameplay of tower defense and combines it with simple real-time strategy elements, creating one of the more compelling and unique games in recent memory."

Metareview -- Sonic Unleashed (360 vs. Wii)

by Randy Nelson { 11 months ago }

Oh, Sonic. You little blue symbol of better days for Sega platformers. This whole Unleashed thing is your latest chance to prove, well, everyone wrong and get back on top of Mascot Mountain. To get there by not starring in another suck-fest of a console Sonic the Hedgehog game (see: Sonic the Hedgehog, 2006, among countless others).

The scores are in and they're ... not horrible. Not amazing, either. Sort of what the reviews of the game are saying. It's out on PS2, Wii, and 360 now, with the PS3 version coming next month. We've assembled a twofer of a metareview, with reviewer thoughts on both the 360 and Wii versions of the game. Have you played it? Share your thoughts in comments.

Xbox 360

GamePro (60/100): "I love Sonic because his speedy style of platforming is fun, and Sega should have just developed a game around that and left everything else out."
Game Informer (60/100): "As much as I disliked lumbering through levels as Sonic's hulky Werehog, I disliked hunting through the hub worlds looking for coins even more. Sega, if you really want to fix Sonic, the first thing you should do is stop trying to fix him."
1UP (C): "Ultimately, this simply isn't the fresh start Sonic fans were so desperately hoping for ... but at least it's not as execrable as the last two efforts."

Wii

IGN (72/100): "Sonic Unleashed is half great game and half tedious gimmick."
GameDaily (70/100): "A sequel with more speed and less gimmicks would make us happy, but for now, Unleashed is a step above the awful games that came before it. Good to have you back, Sonic."
Game Informer (65/100): "The Wii version has less annoying traits than the others and still retains all the usual mediocrity. The motion-control elements in the Werehog levels add an extra dimension to the action, and the hub worlds are entirely text-based and aren't nearly as annoying. If you can stand the diminished graphics, the Wii version actually edges out the PS3 and 360 entries."

Metareview - The Last Remnant (Xbox 360)

by Ludwig Kietzmann { 11 months ago }

Well, so much for that fancy "platinum" score from Famitsu. Western critics have passed judgment on role-playing epic The Last Remnant, deeming it an intriguing turn-based affair that's unfortunately mired in plodding pacing and abundant technical issues. Did nobody think to send Square Enix the Unreal Engine's instruction manual?

Gametrailers (80/100): "The Last Remnant is a hard game to judge. A person's enjoyment of it will be directly related to how much they can tolerate persistent graphical issues. If you can get past it, there's a lot to enjoy in the smart design decisions and its unique battle system."
Gamespot (65/100): "How unfortunate that such a renowned RPG developer has buried a potential classic under a humiliating technical fiasco."
Eurogamer (60/100): "It's a unique and compelling combat system buried beneath choppy pacing, too much wandering around, disappointing presentation problems and an awful lot of loading, and whether that's worth accepting depends largely on your tolerance or affection for long-winded self-indulgence, and whether you think 40 quid is a reasonable amount to pay for one superb idea cushioned by hours of grinding mediocrity."
IGN (53/100): "The Last Remnant is a technical mess, but it's also behind the curve in so many ways."

Metareview - Chrono Trigger (DS)

by Alexander Sliwinski { 11 months ago }

Between traveling and "quality family time," many Americans are being torn away from their beloved consoles due to the Thanksgiving holiday. So, before hitting the road, it might be worth picking up the well-reviewed DS remake of Chrono Trigger, one of the best RPGs of the 16-bit era (or ever, according to what company you keep). Although the reviews are clearly written from the standpoint of a 20- or 30-something with memories of playing the original on the SNES or PlayStation, they seem to agree that the game has held up over time.

GamesRadar (100/100) "If you've never played Chrono Trigger, you owe it to yourself to finally give this gaming touchstone a whirl. And if you have played it before, you can play it again, for no other reason than to see how new it all still feels. We would normally hesitate to give any rerelease such a high score, but this is the ultimate edition of a true classic."
1UP (95/100): "For fans, the reason to pick up Chrono Trigger is simply because it's available, intact, and enhanced. For newcomers, it's because the game has easily withstood the test of time."
Game Informer (95/100): "It's a true classic, and playing it should be a government-mandated rite of passage for any role-playing fan."
IGN (88/100): "If you've never played Chrono Trigger before, buy this game. If you're a die-hard fan and want to support one of the greatest games of all time, buy this game. If you're having trouble validating a $40 purchase for what is ultimately the same game, it's the wrong choice for you, and your cash is better spent elsewhere."
GameSpot (85/100): "Chrono Trigger is a fantastic synthesis of excellent storytelling, game design, music, and gameplay that has withstood the test of time and should be considered required playing for any fan of role-playing games. Though its extra content is hit or miss and it's essentially a direct port of a game released 13 years ago, the DS version is easily the definitive edition of this masterpiece,"

Metareview -- Need For Speed: Undercover (Multi)

by Justin McElroy { 11 months ago }

Curse you, Need for Speed Undercover! Curse you for getting our hopes up with Maggie Q-laden FMV sequences and tales of being inspired by our lord and savior the Transporter (hallowed be his name). Curse you for having the most promise of any NFS in recent memory but still letting us down.

Game Informer (70/100): "Part of the problem with Undercover is that it has no clear focus. After taking a detour with NFS: ProStreet, EA seems content to return to the pre-ProStreet era like it never happened. While this may not be a bad thing, Undercover refuses to move the needle forward from 2006's NFS: Carbon, and in some ways is a step back."
1UP (B): "In many ways, Need for Speed: Undercover is like a 'greatest hits' package of ideas and concepts that we've seen the franchise play around with since Need for Speed: Underground turned the series on its head five years ago. Undercover revels in street culture, much like both of the Underground games, while putting a greater emphasis on cops and car chases like Need for Speed: Most Wanted."
GamePlayer (65/100): "There's no getting around the fact, however, that Undercover is basically Most Wanted with a new lick of paint. Can somebody please green-light Hot Pursuit 3? Surely the open-world horse has been well-and-truly flogged?"
IGN (50/100): "Need for Speed Undercover is a poor game with a ton of problems, both technically and in terms of design. The open world design is completely lost as you can't actually drive to any event, many races are closed off which means no cross traffic, and it's incredibly easy. The presentation could have been good but winds up feeling totally contrived and confusing at times."

Metareview -- Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (Xbox 360, PS3)

by Alexander Sliwinski { 11 months ago }

With Midway's holiday hopes (and financial future) pinned on Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, it appears the reviewers aren't going to help the company out. Barring major outlier Giant Bomb and its 5/5, most outlets appear to be sticking around 80 and below. If it does well at retail, MK vs. DC may help prevent the publisher from hearing an ominous voice-over: "Finish him!"

GamePro (80/100): "Though far from a technical fighting game, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe exceeds expectations by delivering a solidly enjoyable casual fighter. The Mature-rated gore is missed, but the core combat here feels more confident and energetic than it has in years."
IGN (75/100): "Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is fun and a solid entry into the franchise, but I doubt many folks will find it entertaining past a rental. Casual players will punch through the storyline before burning out after getting stumped by one or two Kombo Challenges, while Mortal Kombat fans will have trouble accepting the toned down Fatalities and somewhat slower gameplay."
GameSpy (70/100): "Though MK vs. DC purports to shake up the franchise, the reality is that among the many new touches that the game adds it still lacks the depth of other fighters available today. Again, it doesn't feel dramatically different from its predecessors, save for new mini-game modes and a big facelift. The movesets are rather generic (most are a variation of "down, forward, button") and feel a tad antiquated. Its big hook (the crossover license) can't justify the relatively shallow fighting on hand."
1UP (B-): (Calculated as 67 on Metacritic) "MK vs. DCU is an oddly enjoyable distraction from "real" fighters. Its masher-friendly controls appeal to me in a casual-gamer way, and the midmatch minigames (damage-percentage tugs-of-war, airborne ass-kickings with the defender mirroring the aggressor's button-presses in a bid for dominance) give the fights a sort of party-game vibe."

Metareview -- Animal Crossing: City Folk (Wii)

by Justin McElroy { 11 months ago }

Paradoxically, it's the cause of the absolute saddest thing on the internet, but Animal Crossing has also been a source of joy for millions. Judging from the tepid reviews, Animal Crossing: City Folk's biggest problem appears to be not that it's more of the same joy-inducing escapism, but rather that it is the same joy-inducing escapism.

1UP (C): "Somehow, despite two previous time-sucking outings into the open world of Animal Crossing -- each fully preparing me for what to expect in a sequel -- City Folk still rouses some excitement at the prospect of collecting more rare furniture, fossils, and that one elusive bug or fish. But all of this quickly subsides upon your introduction to Tom Nook, everyone's favorite predatory lender. That's when the realization quickly sets in: This is all just the same old routine with extra goodies that do little to change things in any meaningful way."
GameDaily (70/100): "Sadly, local co-op isn't an option, the graphics look last generation and we had little fun using the WiiSpeak microphone. If you're a fan of the series, you'll want to move into this City right away. Otherwise, pay a casual visit before you settle down."
Games Master UK (80/100): "It's still a great game but fans of the DS version are going to feel short-changed by the lack of imagination in this Wii retread. For everyone who missed out last time, or if you're keen to start such an epic afresh on the TV, this may well be the family game that sends Wii Sports into permanent retirement."

Metareview -- Left 4 Dead (360)

by Justin McElroy { 11 months ago }

If you're like us, you've been spending an embarrassing amount of this crowded fall season playing the Left 4 Dead demo over and over again. You know, like a toddler surrounded by gifts and who only wants to play with a box (if that box was undead and craved brains). Thankfully, it seems that the whole pie lives up to the sliver we've gotten.

OXM (95/100): "Come to think of it, with a handful of levels and unpredictable events happening within them, Left 4 Dead has more in common with Ms. Pac-Man than just the eating. It's the same thing over and over - but when simple ingredients are perfectly prepared, what could be a mere snack becomes a feast. This one just happens to be on human flesh."
IGN (90/100): "Left 4 Dead is also a completely different kind of game, and it feels as much of an experiment as it does an amazing gameplay experience. Valve has moved against convention and delivered a game that is built almost entirely around cooperative multiplayer action. This is a game that comes to life when you play with at least one other human player, and it's even better if there are four humans in each game."
GameSpy (90/100): "One need only look at Left 4 Dead for proof that the gaming landscape is fundamentally changing. This is a game that was obviously envisioned from the very beginning as a co-op experience, even modeling its single-player campaign to mirror that approach. The inventive and highly entertaining competitive multiplayer mode just adds to the experience, and we're looking forward to seeing what Valve's got planned for the game's future."

Metareview -- Mirror's Edge (PS3, Xbox 360)

by Alexander Sliwinski { 12 months ago }

Mirror's Edge may not be perfect, but it's getting bonus points for trying something different and attempting to evolve the very exclusive genre of first-person platformers (Metroid Prime previously being the go-to example). Within the 'stiq network, PS3 Fanboy gave the game an 8/10 and Joystiq has posted its non-numerical verdict. As for platform purchase choice, the PS3 is expected to receive some "exclusive" content, which has yet to be revealed, but beyond that it's a controller preference issue. The game uses both rows of shoulder buttons constantly during gameplay, so having a big button on top is nice on the Sixaxis or DualShock 3, but some may prefer the trigger of the 360 controller. If you're versatile, the whole issue of top or bottom won't matter.

CVG (90/100): "Not your average gaming experience - Mirror's Edge takes the FPS format and flips it on its head. A brilliant and unique experience, even if the small shooting parts aren't quite up to scratch."
GameSpy (80/100): "The combat's unfortunately its Achilles' heel, since it lacks the spontaneity of the free-running and in many instances brings the action to a crashing halt. Thankfully, after you've beaten the game, the time trials and speed runs reward you for avoiding violent confrontation and emphasize the exhilarating rush of zipping through each gorgeous stage."
EuroGamer (80/100): "There's something broken thematically, deep within Mirror's Edge: it tells you a rambling story about freedom even as it confines you to the tight squares of its own personal hopscotch court, and for many that will be one wrong-footing too many. But for those who can shrug off the contradictions and the limitations, ignore the tearing cityscape and lingering qualms about value for money, this will shove you so deeply into the experience of being in someone else's body, and taking it on a terrifying, breakneck joyride, that nothing else will matter."
IGN (73/100): "Mirror's Edge is a classic example of some awesome ideas that just didn't pan out the way that was originally intended. The list of moves could be more expansive -- maybe by adding a fourth button to the mix -- and the world feels entirely too constricting for what could be a huge open city. ... I truly hope that a sequel is spawned, but this first attempt falls just a bit short."
GameSpot (70/100): "If you can overlook the array of quirks long enough to find your stride, you'll want to check out the beat-your-record races and level speedruns. ... The single-player story is simply a practice run for being a virtual show-off, yet the players repeating these levels, because they'll learn them to perfection, are also the ones likely to see Mirror's Edge at its most thrilling."