Discount Razer Onza tournament edition -Xbox 360

Customer Ratings:

Update!

I'm updating this review because the directional pad gets stiff after mild use and the stick itself registers motions that I never inputted (when I tap up.. it registers, then goes down). I've since gotten a replacement, but only to sell it online (couldn't get a refund, just an exchange). Don't have faith in the long-term durability of this controller. Was great when it worked, but I'm sticking to first party controllers from now on.

My old review is below for when it does work properly.

Here are the games I've tested this on to get a wide range of various button/control uses:

* Battlefield: Bad Company 2

* Crysis 2

* Super Street Fighter IV

* Dragon Age 2

I'll cut to the chase since other people have already commented on the great build quality, ergos, and not being able to use the FPS Freek on this.

Here are some of my observations:

Of the games I've tested, it was painfully apparent that fighting games would not do well with the directional pad. Earlier reviews on other sites have already mentioned this, but being the skeptic, I had to test for myself. Verdict is in.. its really lacking for fighting games. The separation of each direction, and the amount you have to push makes for quick combos really difficult. I may dare even say that the original 360 directional pad might be better for this purpose. That said.. if you played fighting games with the analog, then this is where the strength of the controller shines. The adjustable tension on the analogs really help tailor it to your liking. Also, being able to remap your buttons on the extra shoulder allows you to avoid using the triggers.

On the topic of remapping buttons...

this is my number one complaint about the controller... YOU CAN'T REMAP LEFT SHOULDER BUTTON OR TRIGGER TO THE RIGHT RE-MAP BUTTON, and vice versa. I'm guessing this was done on purpose because they still had the Major League Gaming or other professional gaming leagues in mind. From what I understand, they're not accepting this control pad to be legal in those tourneys (subject to change), so I really wish there was full re-mappability. Perhaps it might cause some abuse down the lines, but in Crysis 2, it would have come in really handy if I could remap my shield (usually left bumper) to the right re-map. This would allow me to activate shield on the fly when I'm aiming down the iron sights (holding down the left trigger). Unfortunately this is a no go.

New placement of "Back" and "Start/Play" buttons...

is a mixed bag for me. The reason Razer moved them is to avoid accidental pushes of those buttons. I've never done so myself and I have medium to large hands. To me, the new placement is more of a negative because now its harder to push the Select/Back button on Bad Company 2 to spot your enemies. Luckily this can be re-mapped to any of the remappable buttons and actually works better than its original implementation. Just something to look out for. I can see it helping those who had issues before.

New directional pad...

is again a mixed bag. As mentioned before, it didn't perform too hot for fighting games. It does make it easier for FPS games though to not select the wrong direction. However, I found the button themselves to be clunky and feel like they "stick" a little. Not as responsive as the other buttons on this controller. They work though and work better than the original 360 directional pad for FPS games. Worked fine in Dragon Age 2 when trying to select targeted enemies, but had slight trouble selecting skills during level up with skills that were placed very strangely in the tree. I blame that more on BioWare though for their awkward placement as I had the same issue with the original 360 control pad too.

On the topic of the other buttons...

I like them, but still not 100% sold on them. They are responsive, but admittedly I miss the tactile feedback the original 360 controller had. Don't get me wrong, there is a "click" that assures you that you're pressing the button much like a mouse button, but I actually missed how much the buttons are raised on the original 360 and the amount of force needed to push them maybe I'm just heavy handed.

One very minor gripe of the design...

is that the "face" of the control pad has this sharp taper at the top near the shoulder buttons. It does make the controller aesthetically pleasing, but it looks like that area can easily chip or dent in the future after prolonged use or aggressive handling. Running your finger along it is sharp, but I've never really done it in a way that it was detrimental in my gameplay. I only noticed it when I was fondling the controller outside of actual gameplay.

I'll keep updated postings on new findings and possibly on the topic of long-term durability.

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Excellent controller for FPS, programmable shoulder buttons worked for me. Can't speak to D-pad use, not important in Halo.

But quality sucks. After 1 month first controller left thumbstick developed dead-zone. Worked in all directions but up. Return was no hassle with Amazon

After 20 days, replacement controller developed dead zone in right thumbstick.

(I think it has to do with the adjustable thumbstick tension: great feature but plagued with problems)

Return again no hassle.

No 3rd strike for me, I'll stick to less buttons but a controller that works.

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Here is my small review of this controller.

Honest reviews on Razer Onza tournament edition -Xbox 360

Out of the box it's a great product but unfortunately after some usage things start to go haywire and literally fall apart.

Direction sticks move your character. Around without you touching them.

Button pushes do not register.

I really wish this product worked but it does not.

Top it off with the companies ridiculous return requirements and it's not a good mix

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Since the wireless controllers on the Xbox are junk I saw this one, it looked like it could work fine. I've purchased from Razer in the past as well, for PC Gaming. They sell real half-assed expensive products that are cheaply made. They lure you into buying their products by their cosmetic appearance and hefty price tag. It appears here..... it's no different. I hardly play my Xbox as it is as well.. maybe 3 hours a week, I only go this around early May as well. The problem is... the controller has started to become very choppy and unusable. I've noticed that the R Trigger has begun to have input lag, the left stick has start to move on it's OWN as well, the L stick is completely stationary as well. I've tried unplugging solution to controller as well, sometimes even removing it and then shutting the Xbox and then putting it back in, it's hopeless. These are the is the worst and most common errors with these Xbox controllers, hands down.

Pros-

Light-up buttons, easy to see in the dark.

The buttons have a less-delayed pressure timing, it's quicker and ultimately easier to press down.

Much sleeker look than the standard controllers.

The D-pad is has separated buttons. You aren't as prone to slipping your finger and pressing the wrong button anymore.

The gripping is solid.

The L and R triggers are quicker to use. They are not as limited in length as the standard controllers. This proves very useful if you are playing a button mashing type game.

Cons-

The tightening system on the L and R sticks is junky, it weighs down INSIDE the controller as well. It moves more precisely when you move the sticks slowly, when you move it faster it loses the grip.

The macro system is a total gimmick. You do not need macros on console games, it's useless.

The start and select buttons are in a very awkward position.

It's cheaply made and breaks very quickly.

NOTE: Don't listen to those who rated this product with 5-stars. They clearly just opened, used it once.. and rated it.

Aliens vs. Predator: Extinction Reviews

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This game has an incredible foundation in place to build an even better game on. If it had spent another few months in the tank getting tweaks and having some more depth added to it, it could have been stunning.

The game that this mostly resembles is not Warcraft, but the seminal Command & Conquer series, though with these graphics, AI, unit choices and relative game play, only the earlier incarnations. I would have liked more unit types, higher caps, larger maps, a skirmish mode (campaign only? What's that?!) and maybe a tweak or two on the controls. The push-the-stick-and-circle-to-select-troops was suspect at best, and C&C already has a perfect way to do it: just make a square and capture the units you want to use, no guesswork. Even the original PS version can do that.

All in all, a good idea and not a wholly bad game, but I hope they take some cues from a franchise that does it right and come back to this. They're really on the verge of making a wholly good game here, just not with these flaws. Give us a "Part 2" to this and make these slight changes and you're gold.

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In my opinion this is a very good stratagy game but with one flaw. I always play as an alien. What i dont get is if there are som many other enemy units in the game why you can not have more then 45 units. When you have 45 units the queen stops laying eggs. I mean what is with that, does the queen have some limit. i thought she wanted the hive to grow. how can that happen if you only have forty five aliens. i always end up with fifty or sixty hosts left over just sitting there fot the k-series aliens to steal. The graphics could also be better. They are a bit on the bland side. but other then that exellent game.

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I bought this game expecting it to be so-so based on the amazon reviews, but found the game to be an outstanding treasure among PS2 games. This is one of the best computer/PS2 games I've ever played. Of course like all games it has its faults, like a lack of skirmish and online play. But overall fun game that will keep you entertained for hours. Definitely play as the aliens, they can be a little frustrating but fun to play.

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alien vs. predator was a great movie so i decided to play the game and i thought it would be where you move with the left analog stick insted of with circel but it is still is a fun game i like playing as the predators cause there strongest i think if you like the movie you will love the game and even if you dont like the movie you will still love the game

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This game is very flawed, but is tons of fun if you can be patient with the AI. There are plenty of different types of soldiers, and the three races are very diverse. 21 Missions total will probably be around a week, unless you play all day. Later missions usually take about an hour. Buy it at a local store, like GameStop or EB, beat it within the 7 days, return it. Voila!

Buy Turtle Beach Ear Force X32 Digital Headset - Xbox 360

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $99.95
Sale Price: $78.74
Today's Bonus: 21% Off

I bought this headset because I had the old X11's and wanted to upgrade to wireless because the wire for the X11 is ridiculously long and was never needed for my gaming since I play about 5 feet away from my tv.

Let me just say this headset is great. I read a bunch of reviews before I bought it because I wanted to be sure it would be worth the $100 price tag. I read complaints from people saying that it produced static constantly and others saying the game sound or voice chat drops out a lot. This worried me but I ended up trying them out anyway.

I've owned the X32's for a good month now and as of yet I haven't had a single technical issue that made me question my purchase. So I'll keep the review nice and simple:

Pros:

+For the most part a very solid connection. The headset's wireless capabilities are very reliable.

+Sound is very clear and voice chat is incredibly audible. The difference from this and a typical headset it very easy to notice. I now can't stand to chat online with a regular mic.

+Has an auxiliary connection for mobile devices. I love this for listening to music while I play. The game sounds, chat and music all blend perfectly.

+Nice battery life. I bought some rechargeable batteries so I'm set for a long time. I get a good 20+ hours of use before the headset tells me to change the batteries.

Cons

-It does produce a few minor hiccups in connection that last no more than around 3 seconds every once in a while.

-I decided to list this as a con even though it doesn't bother me one bit. It does produce static if the volume is cranked up high and there isn't constant sound coming in. So if you're watching a movie with the volume up it will have some static during the quiet parts. But I don't play or watch anything with the volume high enough for the static to be an annoyance.

^^^Others may find this extremely annoying though.

-It can become a bit uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. But this could just be me.

-Although the chat and game sounds are vivid, it does often take me some time to adjust the two volumes to get a good balance. If this is not done, I have trouble hearing my friends over the game or hearing the game over my friends' voices. But this is easy to fix.

-A few other very minor and insignificant annoyances that don't hinder the experience whatsoever for me. An example is that people you are chatting with can hear pretty much any noise around your mic. So if there's a window open next to you with a loud noise outside, they will probably be able to hear it.

Hope this helps you decide if these are for you. I didn't have any issues because my setup is very simple and there isn't much room for error or interference with the sounds. More complex setups may encounter issues that I don't have. All I know is that they work wonders for me.

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I bought this a week ago at a local retailer and have LOVED being able to play without disturbing anyone.

So, for the review:

The headset is very comfortable. It fits my big head very well, and the padded top does not "dig in" to your head like most headsets do. The ear cups also are comfortable around my ears, and I haven't had any issues whatsoever with them.

Bass/Treble/Mids Surprisingly clear and loud. Bass sounds really good and deep to be coming from such small speakers.

Chat: great! the boom mic is very clear and folds out of the way when not in use (like all of them).

Setup: pretty easy. I just used the included splitters for audio, and plugged the transmitter into the xbox USB port. It comes pre-paired with the transmitter and headset, so don't do what I did and attempt to re-pair the two! That is actually my biggest complaint. Pairing per the instruction manual never worked for me. I had to turn off headset, hold down the transmitter "pairing: button until it rapid flashed, then hold down the headset "on" button for 6 seconds until it beeped (not the normal on/off beep!!!). After that the unit paired.

I've read some people having issues with a hiss or whine on the older wireless headsets, but I have not had any issues with this one.

Hope my review helped! I would buy these again in a heartbeat.

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I love the sound quality and microphone quality of this headset. They fit comfortably and being able to use them without having a wire going from your headset to your Xbox is a huge plus. Please note, you do have a wire that goes from your headset to the xbox controller, just like the plain Microsoft headsets that come with some of the consoles.

The most annoying thing was getting them setup. As someone else said in another review, the instructions in the manual for "pairing" the headset and transmitter are incorrect. Go to turtle beach's website, and on their knowledgebase, pick this headset model, and there will be an article called NO GAME AUDIO, with a pdf attached titled the same. Follow the instructions there. Once I had the headset and transmitter paired correctly, I was still not getting game audio. I had to adjust a setting on my HDTV to make the "audio out" ports work, and then it worked perfectly.

But once they are finally working its worth it. Great audio quality in terms of both game audio and chat audio, and your voice will sound better to the peeps you are chatting with. Very happy with my purchase.

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I bought this headset to replace my old set of Turtle Beach x41 headphones, since they had recently broken and I wanted something to fill the gap until the release date of the x42s.

The headset itself is of good quality and is on par with what I had in the x41s, although I was a bit disappointed that it was only offered as a RCA input style. The sound effect modulators that are built in also do a fairly good job of boosting bass/treble and adjusting the sound field without becoming overwhelming, although certain combinations of the two can get quite loud.

I had two major problems with this headset that caused me to return it.

First and foremost, there is a constant mechanical buzzing or hum in the left earphone whenever you are not perfectly aligned with the transmitter base. I found that if you were at a certain distance and position from it (i.e. within 3 feet and straight in front of it, destroying the purpose of a wireless headset) that this effect was nearly non-existent, but the other 99% of the time it completely detracted from the game audio and even began to give me headaches. I tried removing all sources of possible wifi signal interference and even tried plugging the headset into a USB-AC adapter yet I still got the buzz. Very disappointing, and I'm surprised that TB would allow a product to go to market with that problem, given the quality of their other headsets I've used.

Second, the game audio would occasionally completely disappear for random periods of time (anywhere from 10 seconds to a full minute), yet chat would still work, suggesting some sort of connection issue. Again, I tried removing all outside sources of wifi interference with no luck. I understand that the nature of this technology is going to cause some interference, but it happened too frequently for my liking.

I would expect these kinds of issues from a lower-tier headset manufacturer or one that's new to the industry, so needless to say I was not impressed with this headset. I'm hoping the x42s will be an improvement, as the x41s were generally amazing.

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Having used professional headsets most of my life I certainly was disappointed when the maximum freq. response was only 20kHz on this headset. However, the crystal clear audio, flexible high-gain microphone, chat monitor and easy wireless setup easily outweigh the cons here. While I don't doubt that some people have experienced genuine issues with wireless interference, I have routers and wireless audio equipment (professional grade) and cell phones in a small room, and through the wall this headset works in the lounge with ZERO buzzing, clipping or interference. It leads me to believe a lot of it is user error, but there are probably genuine cases mixed throughout.

Overall, this is NOT a professional or even that high-end headphones considering the driver size is 50mm but the frequency response is so low. However, for the purpose they serve at the cost they come at...I can't find a good reason NOT to own these if you play any amount of Xbox in an environment where quiet is key, or up late after-hours.

Side note: The build quality on this headset is a fantastic example of quality construction and comfortable wear. These are easy to wear for hours on end.

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Review

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List Price: $29.99
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With the recent announcement of the PS4, you might think that the era of the PS3 is over. But it isn't yet. I hadn't owned a gaming console for several years when I found out about Ni no Kuni. Now, I played my fair share of games back in the day, but the video game market in recent years has just seemed... dull. In large part that's because I don't care for first-person shooters or fantasy sports games. I don't begrudge anyone who does, but I play games for the same reason I read books: to escape into a story. Online shootouts with trigger-happy 14-year olds just doesn't do it for me.

Of course, the gaming studios mainly make games for those 14-year olds, not me. So instead of original content and new stories, we get Call of Duty sequels. So when I found out Studio Ghibli was involved in production of a video game, I was only cautiously optimistic. It seemed too good to be true, and it was hard to imagine that their first video game collaboration would be a resounding success. Then I saw the screenshots... and that was when I started poking around eBay for a second-hand PS3.

Because, you see, the game art is astounding. It's really a step above any video game world you've ever seen. Ni no Kuni is simply a Studio Ghibli anime rendered as an entire walk-through world. As you play, you'll come across a scene and think it's the best-looking shot in the game. And then, a few minutes later, you'll come across something better. One of my favorite visuals comes late in the game: a character's backstory told with haunting, comic book-style sketches. It should go without saying that this isn't a game you want to play on an old CRT TV: an HD screen is the way to go, the larger the better (mine is a 100-inch projection system I was worried about quality, but the game looks great.) Also, turn up the volume: I'd be denying the skill of Joe Hisaishi if I didn't mention the music. In my opinion, it's the best score he's done since Spirited Away.

Now, if the game just looked and sounded great, it would still be worth playing. But the other half of the game's development was done by Level 5. Level 5 has been building critically-acclaimed JRPG's for over a decade. And they've been getting better at it. The story builds throughout the game, is clever and amusing, and seems to make an effort to avoid cliches while also making fun of them (your first major objective in the game is to find the king's red herring). As a resident of southeast Michigan, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that this is certainly the first time Detroit (or a throwback to a 50's era Detroit suburb, rather) has been featured in a JRPG! There's even a "To I-75 North" sign on one of the streets in the neighborhood.

The battle system in Ni no Kuni is the best and most fun I've ever used a clever hybrid of live-action and turn-based attacks. Basically, most actions have a time-out period after you use them, but you're still free to move around the arena, or cancel an in-progress attack if you suddenly need to cast a spell instead. But that's not all like most games involving physical battle, there are defensive moves (usually overlooked in favor of repeatedly pressing the attack button!) In Ni no Kuni, you must learn when to defend, when to attack, and when to use provisions/spells if you're going to beat the game.

I played the game all the way through and completed all the side-quests. In the end, it took me just over 100 hours spread across January to April, but you could certainly do it in less, and I could have easily spent more. A big factor in this game is how many familiars you want to collect and battle with I only had about 30 total. There's also an entire in-game book (the Wizard's Companion), of which I've read only bits-and-pieces. If you think the game is expensive, think of it this way: if you buy the game at full price and a used PS3 for, say, $200 total, you're paying $2/hour for entertainment for a few months. My only real complaints are the click-through dialog text, which gets to be repetitive, and that most of the side-quests weren't very hard. But really, these are small complaints in a masterpiece game. Quite frankly, if you're on the edge about playing the game, you should go do it. You won't regret it.

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I am a fan of Studio Ghibli. More of a fan of Hayao Miyazaki (Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Howl's Moving Castle) but he has had a hand in selecting animators for Studio Ghibli over the years and is himself an exceptional animator. So for that reason alone I have been anxiously awaiting to see the great animation cut scenes for this game. Not to mention music by Joe Hisaishi, composer for Howl's Moving Castle and Ponyo.

I am by no means a fan of RPG's or JRPG's. I am just a fan of art and video games are one medium I really enjoy. Mainly because a big team of people make an entire world for us to explore and play in. LEVEL 5 is a master at this. This is the closest I have seen a game come to looking like an animated film. Although I do have to note that the Namco's game Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm blew my mind with its cell shading and anime look, as well as Rayman Origins with it's wonderful 2D side scrolling animations. This LEVEL 5 production takes playing in the world of animation to a whole other level. Side note, like Naruto you can choose to have the English dubbed track or the Japanese audio with English subtitles which I think is great.

I am not very far into this game and will update as I venture further into it. As of now, I have had no glitches or problems, load times are as expected. The controls are tight and responsive, the visuals are stunning of course.

The inner kid in me wishes that they had released a game this massive and epic and cartoony when I was a kid. The main character Oliver and his guide Mr. Drippy are very classic Studio Ghibli styled characters and the animation cut scenes have been most impressive so far. The learning curve is pretty nice for this style of RPG. As my only familiarity with RPG's are Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VII, and Eternal Sonata, and in that order, I can't really compare this to many other RPG's. I have read some things online comparing this game to Pokemon for the Gameboy (mainly because you capture creatures or "familiars" who help you in your battles), I can't speak to that. What I really like about the battle system is that it is not just button mashing or the regular RPG style pick and choose how to attack and then watch it happen, but being in real time and an open battleground, it is to your advantage to stay moving when attacking the enemy. So far I haven't found the errands (side quests) to be repetitive. Compared to the aforementioned games however, this will undoubtedly go down as a classic among them. I have heard this game can be beaten in about 40 hours if you don't do any errands and just stick to the story. Something tells me you can squeeze a good 65 hours out of this at least.

Any fan of Studio Ghibli films, classic RPG's like Chrono Trigger and any fan of solid game design need to get this. Highly Recommended. If you are a huge nerd like me, you should try and get your hands on the Wizard Edition, it comes with a physical copy of the Wizard's companion that you use in the game.

*UPDATE*

I am a big fan of what they have done with the familiars in this game. There are a lot, 14 different genuses and each genuses (Arcana, Dracones, and Vermes to name a few) has countless different familiars within their respective class. Each with their own unique abilites which makes gameplay very deep when doing battle with enemies who's weakness may be exploited with a particular familiar.

Like other reviewers have said, the world map is stellar and detailed and harkens back to old school RPG's. This game does take a while to get going, but if you played Assassins Creed III, then this game in comparison seems like it gets going immediately. So far I have not had to use the Prima Guide I ordered for this game. The in game Wizard companion book is very helpful. I can't wait to get my Wizard Edition to have the physical copy that will make it much easier to reference. The more I play the more I love this game. Unfortunately I am stuck at work, otherwise I probably would have played all night and would still be playing now.

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Ever since I saw My Neighbor Totoro as a kid back in the early 1990's, I had wanted to see what would happen when Studio Ghibli combines their efforts with another developer to create a video game. Now that we have the end result, I couldn't be more satisfied. P.S., this is going to be one heck of a bias review.

Ni No Kuni is one of the best JRPG'S I have ever played. Combining Studio Ghibli's incredible imagination with Level 5's polished and fun gameplay mechanics, Ni No Kuni feels like the JRPG'S of old while revitalizing a dying genre. It feels like Dragon Quest VIII (a personal favorite), mixing elements of Tales, Star Ocean, and Pokemon into one pot of pure bliss. And man, how I've missed an overworld!

The story and world sucks you in right quick, creating a sense of charm and wonder right from the get go. The opening is a tear-jerker, creating a sense of desperation and sympathy for our hero, Oliver. More than anything, Studio Ghibli's incredible ability to create such unique and real emotion in such with their animation is one of their strengths, and combining that with Level 5's sincere approach to the story, it works like magic. Right away, you meet Drippy, one of the most incredibly charismatic and lovable characters to ever grace a video game. The writing and script is top notch, filled with hilarious dialogue and wonderful characters (that feature some of the best English Dubs of any JRPG translation that I've played).

Battles play out like a synthesis of Tales meets Pokemon. You gain control of familiars, small creates that have attributes (sword and shield, tank, fire, etc.) that do your fighting in battles. You can also take control of Oliver to command him to use various tools such as the ability to use items, heal, and run. Battles begin fairly simple with you fighting one to two monsters, but the progression exponentially increases and by no time battles become chaotic affairs that will test your wit and reflexes. The combat is incredibly addicting, rewarding constant interaction and movement on the battlefield. One of the best features is the real time aspect of the battle system. If you command your familiars to attack, defend, and use tricks (or special abilities) at the right time HP and MP orbs fall from your enemies, offering a quick heal. It sounds like a simple mechanic, but it keeps you constantly engaged while in combat, offering a fun, fast paced and exciting tug of war against your enemies.

Story telling is, to put it simply, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli. A hero going on an epic adventure to save his kingdom, healing the people of the land of their broken-heartedness, all while trying to save your mother sounds, walks, and talks just a Ghibli presentation shoud. NNK can be enjoyed by a younger audience, but the elements here are consistently dark and mature, which comes as a major relief. Keeping it spoiler free, the game engages you quite well. It's a simple yet emotionally effective story that grabs you right away.

Also of note is Joe Hisaishi's majestic, sweeping, and beautiful original score. Frequent collaborator with Studio Ghibli, Joe was (gladly) offered to compose the score, and man is it incredible. The overworld theme is still reverberating in my head as I write this. It captures the moods with gorgeous melodies and memorable themes. It allows you to explore and enjoy an already tremendous achievement all the more. They seriously need to release the PS3 soundtrack, because this is as good as JRPG and video game scores get.

And speaking of outside influence, Studio Ghibli made a significant contribution in the art department. There are original animated cut scenes produced by Ghibli themselves (namely Momose)which are wonderful (especially in HD!), the monsters are original and cute, and the gorgeous colors used in the backdrops provoke the imagination. Everything is here, and it feels like Ghibli production combined with Level 5's JRPG mastery in full force.

If there are any complaints (and these are minor grievances) it's that the draw distance is nothing to write home about. On the world map you'll see mountains "peel" in in the distance, and foliage in more graphically intensive areas obviously pops in as you walk through the areas. This is such a minor complaint though, honestly, as it comes from years of playing games and eventually noticing technical "tricks" that developers use to cut corners.

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is sincere, wholesome, and most importantly FUN entertainment that might just be the last push the JRPG genre needs to get its legs again in a predominantly "bald-space-dude-marine-bro" controlled market. Some may ask "why is the title stupid?" or say "it looks like a game for ten year olds!," which at that point I would say that Ni No Kuni game isn't appropriate for them. If you aren't willing to give the game a shot, you'll be missing out. Ni No Kuni takes skill, dedication, and maturity to play and enjoy this long and challenging adventure; it dares to be different from just about every JRPG out there, straying from the spiky-hair-big-sword cliches that have plagued the genre for years, and succeeds so incredibly well at doing so.

And in case you just looked to the end to see the score or closing comments, here they are: Ni No Kuni Wrath of the White Witch is one of the best JRPG's ever made, and it rightfully deserves the praise it is receiving. Part homage to JRPG's and part fan service for Studio Ghibli lovers, it's hard not to like Ni No Kuni. If you love RPG's/JRPG's, this is a no brainer. If you love Studio Ghibli, this is a no brainer. If you've been looking to jump into the genre, you won't get a better chance. Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a steroid shot to the imagination, giving players freedom to explore one of the best adventures this console generation. It's a masterpiece that won't soon be forgotten.

It's not every day we are given such an incredible gem. Just leaving here with one comment: Thank you Level-5 for the incredible adventure and Studio Ghibli for continuing to create entertainment that is both wholesome and enjoyable.

So what are you waiting for? Go play Ni No Kuni for flippen sake!

Afterthoughts: Just completed the game! My opinions from the beginning couple hours have not changed. I love Ni No Kuni even more now. The ending tied up and explained all of the mysteries and loose ends (without being stupid, farfetched, or cliche), the characters came full circle and were developed so well, and Oliver really grows up into a hero, and a quite likable one at that. There seems to be plenty of post game challenges left, so consider me excited to continue exploring this world.

Total play time for story run: 51:14:06.

Final score: 10/10

Honest reviews on Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

I am not an RPG fan like most reviewers here. I was drawn in by my love for Studio Gibli, and the breathless universal enthusiasm for the game. Indeed the game looks like a Studio Gibli epic, and everything about it is top-notch in terms or quality. The art is stunning. The story tugs at heart strings (even if having mom keel over and die is a little un-subtle way to tug them).

However several hours in and I am struggling to maintain interest. The battle system may be great for this type of game, but I find it tedious and repetitive. Walk walk walk, fight, walk walk walk, fight, walk, fight, die, back up and repeat. The enemies are cute, but repetitive and flat. Fighting involves a ton of selecting this character and that spell that takes a while to deal with, pulling me out if the action. I'm sure this gets more intuitive after a while, but often I wish I could just slash away and be done with it.

It is like playing a movie, except for the fact that most of the dialog is just subtitles, and there are boring stretches of Pokemon style battles every 30 seconds as you go on some errand to find some thing to enable some other thing. I do love the fact that the gameplay is indistinguishable (almost) from the cut scenes. But the fact is the characters are 2D cartoons, so that shouldn't be such a feat. Having just played Skyrim for a million hours, I am no stranger to walking and fighting and running errands, but this feels more like a chore. I felt much more immersed in Skyrim. In Ni No Kuni I feel much more bogged down by menus and stuck on the tracks of the story.

That said, the more interactive story engagement sections of the game are wonderful, if a little corny and childlike.

I have a feeling if I were 14 this would have me riveted for weeks. But as a an adult non RPG gamer, I'm struggling to get into this. I realize I may not be the target audience, but for others who were attracted by the Studio Gibli association, I think an outsider perspective may be useful to temper the hype surrounding this game.

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I have not had this much fun playing a game since I first bought the original Playstation and Final Fantasy VII and hooked it up.The game looks like it was made for kids when you first see the animation but don't let that fool you. This game is deep. The story line is inviting and the battle system is challenging and down right fun!! I have to drag myself away from it to do important life things like work! I am a fifty something old man who has been playing video games since Pong. And this game may just very well be the best I have ever played. To me it is that good !!

PlayStation 3 40GB Metal Gear Solid 4 Gray Kojima Bundle Review

Customer Ratings:

Necessary disclosure: I do not own this model but do I own the 60GB model, recently upgraded to 320GB. I am also very familiar with the latest 80GB model (which is basically this one with a larger disk) because one of my neighbors has one and I am the neighborhood's unofficial and unpaid 'computer' consultant :). I did some research in anticipation of us purchasing a second unit because I promised the kids 'their own' if their grades were going to meet a certain standard.

As compared to the 60GB model (see this model's pluses and minuses and what all PS3s have in common):

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+ Less expensive (I paid $599 for my 60GB PS3)

+ Improved power efficiency 110w vs. 180w for my old 60GB

+ Dual shock controller (rumble)

+ Bundled MGS4 game and extras

+ Amazon Blu-ray movies promotion (buy 4 movies from list and get $100 off through end of 2008)

+ Mate, easier to maintain finish (can't see the fingerprints)

= Wireless Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet network connections

= Bluetooth for controllers, keyboards, earpieces, etc.

= Controllers charged via USB wires

= Free, unlimited access to the PSN network, including online play

= Full PSOne compatibility

= Blu-ray player

= DVD player

= CD player

= HDMI, component video (component wire included)

= Surround sound

= Internet browser

= Allows for installation of third-party operating systems such as Linux

= Disk is easily upgradeable without voiding warranty

= Quiet operation

No memory card interfaces

50% less storage (not really a problem if you upgrade)

2 USB ports vs. 4 USB ports on the 60GB

No PS2 compatibility

No chrome trim

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STORAGE and STORAGE UPGRADE:

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This model comes with an 40GB drive. As crazy as this may sound, this is the best machine your money can buy today IF you are planning to upgrade and IF you dig MGS4. On the other hand, DO NOT buy this model if you do not consider upgrading the disk because 40GB won't take you very far.

To give you an idea of the amount of storage you may need on your PS3, I recently checked the status of my 320GB disk and I found that I had 198GB free. That means that, one year after purchasing my (then) 60GB box I was using 122GB already. The space is taken by family pictures, a little music, lots of demos, many 'disk' games that dump gigabytes of data to the disk to improve performance, many videos the kids are making with the 'Eye' camera, game saves. I suspect that 'Home', when it becomes available, may require a few more GB's for its own use so 320GB may be what you need if you don't want to constantly worry about deleting old stuff before you run out of space.

If you are on the upgrade path, $100 would buy you a 320GB drive. I used the Western Digital WD3200BEVT 320 GB Scorpio Sata 5400 Rpm 8MB 2.5 inch myself. 1TB drives are available these days for a few $$ more and you should try to get one of those if you are planning to store lots of videos. The nice thing about upgrading your disk is that you are also going to be left with a perfectly good 40GB drive which you can place into a cheap enclosure, and the StarTech AT2510U2 InfoSafe 2.5-Inch USB/SATA Hard Drive Enclosure worked for me. I am using the free leftover drive as a backup device for family photos.

Upgrading the disk is (relatively) easy and you can find a lot of advice on the Net. Search for "PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Upgrade (HOWTO)" for a nice video so you'll decide if you are comfortable with it. If upgrading is the first thing you do, everything becomes very easy because you need not worry about backups or restores. I upgraded my box in a couple of hours WITH the backup/restore steps.

MEMORY CARD INTERFACES:

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The lack of memory card interfaces is annoying but you can get around it. Copy your stuff to a USB drive or flash drive and... problem solved. You can then upload your things through the USB. It's somewhat inconvenient but it's no big deal.

USB PORTS:

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My old 60GB model has 4 USB ports and I am using all of them. One for the PS3 Eye (camera), a second has a wireless keyboard dongle, the third is where the racing wheel plugs in and the last one I use to charge controllers. Of course, you can and you WILL be able to live with 2 slots but it is likely that you will be doing some plugging/unplugging if you begin adding peripherals. One way around it is to get a USB port multiplexer. Another solution is seek Bluetooth peripherals (wireless) if you can find them. Bluetooth keyboards, for example, are available.

PS2 COMPATIBILITY:

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This model does not support PS2 software. Since the original PS2-compatible PS3's are hard to get, this has to be accepted as reality. I assume that Sony, after polling existing and future PS3 users, found that most users don't need PS2 compatibility. Soon after we upgraded to a PS3 my kids were playing Kingdom Hearts and Destroy All Humans but I haven't seen them doing so in quite a while. It is nice to have PS2 compatibility but its lacking would not stop me from buying a PS3.

PSOne GAMES:

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The PS3 has full PSOne compatilibity. Lots of them are available for download at the PSN store. They are quite inexpensive and some of them are still fun to play.

SUMMARY:

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If you like MGS4 and you consider upgrading, buy THIS model.

If you are planning to upgrade regardless, you're better off with this model because you can use the $100 you save to upgrade, you get the MGS4 and you should be able to get Drake's Fortune (new) for about $40 from Amazon. Not to mention that you don't have to wait for 3 more weeks.

If you don't care much about MGS4 AND you feel that you can live with 160GB AND you think Drake's Fortune is a cool game, then wait for a few more weeks for the 160GB bundle.

Get yourself a USB port multiplexer if you need more than 2 ports.

Transfer your photos to flash drives to get around the missing memory card interfaces.

Keep your PS2 if you have one and still wish to play PS2 games in the future.

Enjoy your new PS3.

_____________________

Note: I am not taking off one star for the lack of PS2 compatibility. I understand that Sony must compete on price and make a profit and times are tough. However, I simply can't see why Sony cut the number of USB ports from 4 down to 2 and this explains why this unit gets 4 stars instead of 5. This is a relatively significant inconvenience and I can't see how it would cost Sony more than a dollar or 2 if it provided 4 ports instead of 2.

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This model is different from the current 80 gig playstation 3 in the following ways: it has a 40 gig HD, it is gun metal instead of piano black, and it includes a limited edition copy of Metal Gear Solid 4.

If you plan on using this system as a true media center, than the HD is probably too small. This would most likely be the case with an 80 gig HD as well. Fortunately, the PS3 uses laptop HDs which are plentiful and cheap. Another reviewer has already addressed this.

The system itself is beautiful and the production run of this package is supposedly very limited. This means you will have a unique PS3 many will envy. It also means that many accessories (ie: additional control, headset, etc.) will not match the color scheme. If you have never played MGS, the series is very engrossing; this game was created to sell systems. Despite the smaller HD and the lack of matching accessories, I am very pleased with this purchase.

Best Deals for PlayStation 3 40GB Metal Gear Solid 4 Gray Kojima Bundle

I had a PS3 before but it was too noisy and overheated so I sold it. I read that they had fixed the problem. I wanted this Grey PS3 when it first was offered by Konami. I couldn't pay $600 so I stuck with my PS2 until the right time. I just lately typed in "Playstation Console Metal Gear" in the Amazon search thinking I was going to get the 80gb version and this popped and I couldn't believe that this was still for sale and for $400. I grabbed it as fast as I could. I've heard that this is basically the same as the new 80gb version, I don't care about storage that much and I don't like the Piano Black the only other color for me would be the Ceramic White but they never have sold it in the United States.

The Grey is very nice and I got MGS4 with it. I am very satisfied!

Honest reviews on PlayStation 3 40GB Metal Gear Solid 4 Gray Kojima Bundle

I ordered this through Amazon and they shipped the next business day. Got the item very fast, even when I picked "Free Shipping." Now on to business....my initial impression of the item was just...WOW. The system looked awesome when I took it out of the box (it still does). The gray finish went well with the system. What's best is that you won't have to worry about finger prints showing up all over the system nor about visible dust particles. It came with all the regular wires which it normally comes with (no HDMI cable which you have to buy seperately). The bundle came with Metal Gear Solid 4 and two bonus disks (one BlueRay with the background story of Metal Gear and one music CD). They included a cool case for the DVDs (you can see the picture of the case on the snapshot of the PS3 box). As for performance...it's really quiet when I was playing the BlueRay disk. It didn't make any sound at all. It took pretty long to upgrade the system software though (it was upgrading from 2.30 to 2.52 or something like that). Overall, I am extermely pleased with the purchase of this special edition. Not only it's in different color but also MGS4 and bonus contents are included. It's 40GB and the price is the same for the 80GB system. But the bonus contents and the different color of the system more than makes up for the hard drive space difference. And the PS3 box looks really cool as well. In conclusion...if you're a Metal Gear Solid fan (I wouldn't consider myself as a fan as I've played only a few games of the series, none for the PS2), thinking of buying a new PS3; now's your chance to get the "limited edition" for the fraction of the price for which it was being offered earlier (this is the main reason I bought the system).

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I have one of the original 60GB PS3 systems but always wanted the gunmetal gray. Unfortunately the crazy price this was originally selling for through Konami was not justified based on the specs. The amazon price is a great deal love the gunmetal color. The fact that it doesn't retain fingerprints is a real bonus.

The biggest upgrade in my opinion is that this PS3 system is so much quieter than my old 60GB. The fan is nearly silent whereas my old system would ramp up to a level that was VERY audible in quiet parts of movies.

The 40GB was not a drawback at all in my opinion. Just swap out for a bigger one its easy to do and the drives are not that expensive. I already had a 160GB 7200rpm drive that was waiting to go.

Since I already had MGS4 game I didn't need the LE version, but since it is going for big $ on auction that will further offset the cost. I don't care about being able to play PS2 games cause they look like bad on the big screen anyway. The memory card slots were used a total of 1 times on my old system so I don't think I'll miss this either.

Best World Series Baseball (Xbox) Deals

Customer Ratings:

Year two of my franchise and I'm having trouble stopping. After playing all three baseball games for the X-Box (Triple Play, ASB, WSB) I can say without thinking, WSB beats them both. Triple Play is just plain bad. ASB is very good, almost as good as WSB, but it doesn't offer as many features. Now, back to WSB. Fans of the 2k series of any sport will instantly be familar with the layout of the menus of the game, simple to navigate. I have yet to find a real flaw in the gameplay. It's very easy to pick up and play, the batting, pitching, and fielding all goes very well. The graphics are excellent, the player faces are copies of their real life counterparts. The commentary lives up to the standard that the 2k series has set so far.

One of the games best features is it's franchise mode. For those of you that don't know, it really puts you in the game, you sign coaches, bump up the minor leaguers, sign free agents, and all very easily, not the same clumsy menus of NFL 2k2. I played two seasons as the White Sox, the first went pretty bad, but the second was half decent after I drafted some potential and made some trades. I also beefed up my pitching staff. It really makes you feel like you own the team.

Lastly, for those of you who are very picky on accurate rosters, you'll be pleased. The rosters are, from what I've seen, accurate within very recently.

Overall, this is the baseball game I'd recommend for anyone. If you have doubts, rent it first, but, you probably won't regret buying it.

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This is basically a slightly enhanced version of World Series 2002 for the Sega Dreamcast. As such, if you liked WS2K2, you will like WS2K3. Others have focused on the many, many positives of the game (graphics, player animation, pitching control, franchise mode, etc) so I'm going to focus on the few aspects of the game that prevent it from being perfect:

A) I realize that the developers wanted the graphics & animation to be silky smooth, and they are, but that hi-res visual goodness comes at the expense of fielding accuracy. I'll echo the complaint that double-play grounders that should be automatic are far too often not. I'm sorry, but Kevin Young hasn't been seen beating out a DP ball ever. Same goes for outfielders after catching a fly ball. The CPU AI is tight and will run on you at a moment's notice, but the throws from the outfielders are very slow to react when they throw to a base, thus giving an unnecessary edge to baserunners. Both problems would be solved by ironing out the "molasses effect" that restricts fielding.

B) The commentary, while not often incorrect, is horribly bland. The play-by-play is strictly meat-&-potatoes stuff (name & position) and the color commentary is often too generalized and rote. Besides the opening of the game, and maybe during a relief appearance, the announce team will say nothing individualized about any of the players. And there is a glitch when it comes to CPU pinch-hitters: they are 100% always announced as pinch-runners by the color commentator (former SF Giant pitcher Mike Krukow). This might be being tough on the game, but a powerful next-gen console like the XBox deserves better than PS1-era play-by-play announcing. You'll be begging for NFL 2K2's cheesy announce crew by the time 9 innings are up.

C) Make sure you know what base you want to throw to as a fielder, because once you press the button, that's where the throw is going. I have botched a few plays at the plate because at the time I caught it, the runner wasn't tagging, but then he decides to go, but the fielder will throw to whatever base you initially chose. In other words, there is no button override function. This goes similarly for baserunning: if you are halfway down the 1st-base line and push the button to go to second base, then decide against it, make sure you return to 1st base because the game keeps that first button press in memory, but luckily the baserunning allows you to return fairly easily.

D) The graphics often fail to match up to the play being made. A runner attempting to steal might be called out merely because the throw was in time, though the tag was obviously (via replay) not applied at all. The fielders will occasionally pull a Matrix move and magically slide across the field on their feet to make a diving catch. Once again, it's not to much positioning deciding the catch, but general timing. Which again, might be harsh, but in a next-gen universe, these same old shoddy corner-cutting measures need to be cured, or we all might as well go back to MLB '99.

Even with the small gripes, WSB2K3 is still far and away the best choice for baseball on the XBox. And perhaps because the game is so strong in most areas, it leaves itself open to minor criticism in lesser areas. Sorta like pointing out a handful of weeds on an otherwise lush, green lawn. I can only imagine if Sega remedies these small issues, we might be as close to perfection as possible.

Best Deals for World Series Baseball (Xbox)

The much anticipated World Series BB2K3 is a phenomenal effort from Sega, and does not disappoint. The game delivers on all levels:

>> Superb graphics: This game is rich in texture and the graphics are deep. There are hundreds of never seen before action sequences, highlights, play-making shots, slow-mo, instant replay, batting stances, authentic pitching motions, etc., you name it, Sega's done it.

>> Realistic playability: On the "All-Star" mode, the game provides a solid challenge. There'll be close games, occasional blow-outs, hot streaks, cold streaks, etc., just like a season should be.

>> Miscellaneous: Other options include -Extensive franchise mode to test your managerial aptitude; Legend Mode where you can play with the likes of Cobb, Mays and DiMaggio; Create-a-Player mode (where you can choose gloves, shoes, sleeves, bat color, stance, power, speed, etc.); Season, Playoff, Quick Start modes; Home Run Derby ---basically, there's enough exciting options for hours and hours of competitive fun.

A must have for the baseball season ahead. A leap beyond WSBB2K and 2K1, and an eternity from half-inspired games such as All Star BB and Triple Play.

Now get to it.

Honest reviews on World Series Baseball (Xbox)

This game is great!

Pros:The graphics are excellent, the player animation is awesome and lifelike, the artificial intelligence is superior, the announcers (Mike Krukow & Ted Robinson) mix into the game well, the contol is customizable and easy to learn, the difficulty is adjustable, fielding is a breeze, and it's fun!

Cons: The announcing repeats a little too often, jumping for fly balls are not an option (although sliding is), there are hardly ever any walks, and there are no bench-clearing brawls(not expected, but would have been fun to see).

Definitely Recommended, Worth the Price

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First off, the graphics in this game are UNBELIEVABLE. Birds fly through the outfield, the animations are awesome. Batters adjust their gloves and stance, fielders shift from foot to foot and kick up dust to dig their cleats in. This is by far the best looking baseball game I've ever played. The sound is also top notch. During a Yanks Red sox game in Boston a fan yelled "Jeter, if you retire you can spend every day with models!" simply amazing. The announcers are good, the sound effects are dead on, all and all a great presentation. As far as game play is concerned the game is great, fast and realistic. Everything is selectable, from turning the batters box on or off, three different pitch speeds, to making the pitching and umpires realistic or computery (ie make mistakes or not). The stat tracking isn't as robust as High Heat but they are serviceable, unless you really care about how many times your catcher threw out a base stealer, and what your pitchers WHIP was you won't bat an eyelash at the basic yet complete statistics WSB tracks. This is also made up for by the fact that this game has the best franchise mode EVER. I already have a season and a franchise saved on my Xbox HD, the franchise I only manage while the season I play all the games, both are fun, considering that there are some PC games which only offer management and are quite successful this is almost like having two games in one. My problems with the game are few: you can't warm up pitchers; no team/league creation other then fantasy draft (though if you really wanted to you could draft every team in the league to emulate your fantasy league, but this would take a LONG time and I wish there was a way to simply create custom teams or leagues); confusing menus which differ slightly from the other 2k games; and no season MVP/golden glove type awards.. The only reason I don't give this game five stars is because I think that Sega and VC and iron out some of these problems/omissions. All and all WSB is a great baseball game that plays at least as well as and looks a ton (A TON!) better then High Heat for PS2. In fact the only reasons one should ever buy High Heat are; if you're really really... really into stat tracking, or if you don't have an Xbox. WSB is by far the best baseball game on Xbox, and with its presentation and gameplay one of the best (along with High Heat and Saturn WSB) baseball games ever made.

Halo 4 Limited Edition -Xbox 360 Reviews

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $99.99
Sale Price: $64.99
Today's Bonus: 35% Off

I'm just going to talk about the content of the limited edition and whether or not its worth the extra price.

First of all, if we factor in the map packs, thats already a $25 value. So it really comes down to a $15 price difference between the standard edition (with the map pass) and the limited one. This is assuming you plan on getting the new maps in the first place. So does the remaining content make up for the price difference? Going over the content:

The packaging is nice. The box has a unique look and opens by lifting the flap which is held in place by a magnet. That and with the UNSC logo stamped on makes it look very official looking. I also like the look and quality of the steelbook case.

The UNSC Infinity briefing packet items are pretty neat, especially if you're into the lore. But they're really things you just look through once and then set aside for the remainder of time. There is not much else to them. However, I appreciate the quality of some of these items, such as the little notebook and the armor schematic poster (not sure what material was used to make said poster, but I like it).

The digital content will probably be the deal breaker here. The map packs as I mentioned are a big part of this edition. The "Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" special edition download is a nice bonus, but it would have been even better if it was included as a DVD instead. The access to the six specializations is nothing special considering people can get the same thing if they play Halo 4 before Nov. 20. And honestly, who isn't?

As for the rest of the digital content. The in-game skins and emblem is also nothing special. The skin is basically the default recruit armor that you start with, but with a slightly different design. You get a 14-day LIVE gold trial which you'll probably never use. And the avatar items speak for themselves.

All in all, I'd say the limited edition has things that will make it worth it to many people, especially for those who have bought the limited (or legendary) editions to all the past Halo games. A part of me wishes it was cheaper or had a few more things like a Master Chief figurine for example. But as it stands I thought the overall package was alright for the cost but some of the bonus items are really lackluster.

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First of all i just wanted to say that this limited edition is great. I'm about half way through the campaign and I'm having a blast. Here's what you get inside the box"

Numbered box: Each box has it's own number which gives it a truly limited feel.

Game in a tin case: You get a wonderful white tin case with your 2 discs in it.

Gabriel Thorne armor schematic: The schematic is printed on a kind of see through high quality paper

Silver envelope: Inside the silver envelope you get a mission briefing card.

Red UNSC envelope: Inside the red envelope are all the DLC codes. You get: Halo 4 Forward unto dawn which lets your experience halo 4 from it's very beginning, you get specializations, skins, Avatar props and male/female avatar armor. You also get a 14 days Xbox Live trial code.

Gabriel Thorne's Notebook: The notebook is beautiful. it's in a shape of a rectangle with a bottom middle cut out. The notebook shows different weapons, notes and other information. The back of the notebook is a hard, thick plastic with UNSC printed on it.

The box that the whole thing comes in is also beautiful, it's hard plastic and has the UNSC logo on it. If you're not sure whether or not to get the limited edition, there was one thing that totally sold me on it. You get the war maps map pack included in the box! Normally it sells for $25 I believe. It includes future DLC maps for Halo 4, if you were to pay for those maps separately you would pay over $40. If you know you won't keep the game for long and you are mainly buying it for the campaign and not multiplayer, i say get the regular. If you play multiplexer a lot and enjoy the extras which i listed above, i say go for the limited.

Personally I give the game 4.8/5 and the limited edition 5/5 for all the DLC goodies that you get and the attention to detail inside and outside the box.

Best Deals for Halo 4 Limited Edition -Xbox 360

I have to say, first of all, that the story is, in my opinion, far better presented than what Halo: Reach gave; I won't give spoilers here (although it's been quite a while), but I will say that I did not find the campaign, as a narrative piece, to be disappointing. I will warn that people unfamiliar with the expanded Halo universe will have some seriously confusing moments, which is a point against it. But given that I was prepared for that (the game was effectively made by fans), I can accept its eccentricities and flaws.

What I can't accept is how buggy and sometimes broken the multiplayer is: it has virtually nothing to do with the weapons and loadout system, as it's close enough to Bungie's system for Reach to avoid being broken, but the stuff that goes on "under the hood": matchmaking, NAT issues, random lag spikes, occasional gear resets until you relog into Live; I've genuinely had more issues with Halo 4's multiplayer in the last few months than I've ever had from Halo 3 to Reach.

You can tell this wasn't made by an objective, fully professional company, at least not yet: there's a lot of love-letters to fans, a few too many and a little too heavy-handed. There's design choices that make no sense (again, mostly under the hood; why couldn't they use Reach's netcode instead of their own?; on top of that, levels become rapidly meaningless as you max out your armory, unless you want to farm for achievements/commendation-specific equipment) and just overall the game feels somewhat incomplete at times.

But for me, the most important aspect was the campaign, and that, at least, is extremely solid. Not perfect, but excellently done. I can forgive the bugs and glitches prevalent throughout the game as "first attempt" issues. As long as they're resolved by Halo 5 (or even in a title update), I can forgive it. I really do consider this to be a very promising beta for Halo 5, honestly, rather than it's own standalone game. Perhaps if they'd had a beta, things would've been different, but alas...

At any rate, the game is well worth buying for any fans of Halo, but I'm sorry to say, not quite a good entry point for newcomers, unless you're only interested in multiplayer.

Honest reviews on Halo 4 Limited Edition -Xbox 360

343 Studios have done a tremendous job with Halo 4: it is a sequel worthy of its predecessors and I've been enjoying it very much. Those of you who have followed the saga of The Master Chief will find a very interesting reveal of many of the things you'd been wondering: about Cortana, the Forerunners, and much more. I won't spoil the story for you, but as you can see in the commercials and trailers we also get a new race to battle, with some very clever twists designed to make a veteran player have to think on their feet once more. With a new race are a whole new class of weapons and with the Single Player Campaign I found myself reminded of some of the best feelings of my favorite FPS games, stretching all the way back to Doom, Quake, and Half-Life. One interesting note: the little 'Grunts' no longer speak English: like the other races of The Covenant they speak in their own dialect. Much as I enjoyed the cute quips of "More! Enemy!" and "Bad Cyborg!", this change does bring the story together a little more consistently to me.

If there's one drastic difference in Halo 4, it's that there are several interactive cutscenes. These aren't quick-time events: they're more like those moments in the Call of Duty games where something dramatic happens and you are just watching through The Master Chief's eyes. The only downside to this is you spend your time on the edge of your seat hoping you'll know when to grab the controls again. There are melee kills that pop the camera to an over-the-shoulder view and then there are a couple of moments where you interact with switches and the camera changes to a short cutscene of The Master Chief flipping the switch/opening the door/etc. There is also a sprint mechanic that takes a bit of getting used to: click down to sprint, but take your thumb off the stick and let it pop upright again to be able to re-shoulder your weapon.

The maps we are introduced to in the Single-Player Campaign look like they'd be fantastic in Multiplayer: I haven't dived into the Multiplayer yet but I will say that there are plenty of areas for hiding, taking the high ground, or mixing it up with a bit of both. We also have armor enhancements beyond the ones introduced in Halo: Reach. For example, The Master Chief can cloak. He can produce an energy shield, but it's not for having instant invulnerability: you'll find yourself using it most in times when you're pinned down and need to get to cover to recharge. The use of these armor-driven powers is on a cooldown timer that's more reasonable than the all-or-none method introduced in Halo 2: if you need to re-engage the power before it's fully charged, you get what charge is built up--like Crysis.

I bought the collector's edition. It comes with the three DLC add-ons, access to a streaming version of the Forward Unto Dawn video series (but only through Halo Waypoint), and "eyes-only" UNSC mission briefs. We have a blueprint (that I won't spoil for you), a notebook similar to the "Dr. Halsey's journal" that was included in the limited edition of Halo: Reach (only much smaller), and all of it packed in a foldover game case. I was really pleased that the DLC was more of a quick unlock than it was a long download--I know there's some controversy over on-disc DLC, but I guess in this case, not having to sit and wait (or re-download it if I have to replace my XBox 360) makes it a bit more convenient.

If you've enjoyed the rest of the Halo series, I hope you enjoy Halo 4 as much as I have. I'm sad to see Bungie step away, but I'm also impressed with 343's work on this worthy sequel.

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As far as Halo stories go that deal with the Master Chief, this is the best. It shows a more emotional component to the series in addition to the already decent sci-fi story. I should divulge now that I think the pinnacle of the Halo games story telling was reached with Halo: Reach so if my review of this game seems lackluster in regards to the story, you are forewarned.

The game picks up right where part three left off, on the ship where Master Chief last went to sleep. A few years have passed since these events and things are not looking to good for the dynamic duo of Cortana and John. As usual, John is putting boot to ass to achieve the mission goals and this time, he has set his own priorities. His number one priority right now is to get Cortana back to her creator for repairs as it seems she is dying. Along the way he discovers those wacky Covenant forces doing more silly shit, this time uncovering the origins of an ancient civilization that is determined to rule the universe, and trying to utiliza the power for themselves. The visuals are a little more polished from the halo: Rech time and the game runs a lot more smoothly. The best thing about this game aside from the story is all the added things that come along with it. Right now there is a guaranteed 10 week online component to the side story of the Spartans that further continue the story. That is 5 extra missions per week that are not simply multiplayer but addition to the story. There is a movie or a five part web episoded series that shows the beginning relationship and explanation of Captain Lasky and the Master Chief. If you watch it in it's movie form I guarantee you that it stands up easily to any big budget hollywood sci-fi movie. There is of course the always spectacular multiplayer and ever present DLC. This game basically picks up and runs with the ground work laid with Hal: Reach and makes an already exemplary series even better. If you buy it, get the limited edition as it comes with some very cool extras and a beautiful game case.

Reviews of Xbox 360 Official NFL NY Jets Controller Faceplate

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I had to get this cause i had just bougth madden when it came out and i was looking for a face plate for my controller. This was perfect cause it was my favorite team and i had liked how it can just snap on and snap off when u need it off. Perfect for those NY Jets Madden gamers!

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It just snaps on right over the controller easily. It's just as comfortable as the regular controller and doesn't feel too bulky. Snaps on and off with ease, and protects against stains. That's if you're as stupid and clumsy as myself and spill soda on it... Grape soda...

Cheap Crysis 2 - Maximum Edition

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List Price: $29.99
Sale Price: $7.49
Today's Bonus: 75% Off

I don't know about you, but I'm not up for paying $20 for another few maps and a new weapon! Amazon sent me a coupon for $20 off, because I purchased Crysis 2 from them. Still, it's a ridiculously overpriced product.

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I downloaded the game twice through Amazon, and couldn't get it to install. First time the download was corrupted, and apparently the folks who wrote the Amazon download manager didn't think to break large downloads into smaller pieces if a piece get's corrupted.

The second time I downloaded it, the game installed but wouldn't accept my authorization code without downloading Origin, EA's Downloadable Rights Management program which has a handful of other "features". I didn't want to download Origin, I've heard many bad things about it, so I tried to use the activation code on Steam. The code wouldn't work, even though Steam now sells this exact version of Crysis 2. Figures.

Once I installed Origin (and I had a few problems there, too) I entered the product code from Amazon, and guess what? I had to download the game AGAIN, this time through Origin.

At this point, I've spent ~20 hours downloading and re-downloading the game three times. Origin installs the game (not where I want it installed, of course) and I can finally play the game. But not without an internet connection. The game requires me to run and log into Origin and also log into the in-game thing, even if all I want to do is play the (offline) singleplayer.

I should have spent the $5 extra and bought the game on Steam.

Amazon, please rewrite your download manager so it can re-download and replace corrupted segments of game data. EA... get rid of Origin. You aren't stopping folks who pirate your games, and you're making things a hassle for your paying, PAYING, customers. I hope developers stop making contracts with EA.

Oh, and the game itself? Exactly what I expected because I've played the game before. Fun, but it doesn't really belong in the Crysis franchise. What you can't do is a disappointment compared to the prior games, and what you can do isn't really good enough. Ultimately Crysis 2 is yet another forgettable CoD-ish first person shooter. Singleplayer and multiplayer is unlikely to entertain for long. I mostly bought the game for the various mods that are starting to come from the community.

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this is one of the best games i ever played .you fight against people and aliens .the storyline is done very well .looking

forward to crysis 3. out of five stars i give it 10 stars

Honest reviews on Crysis 2 - Maximum Edition

Nice graphics. That's about it. Story is uninteresting, aliens are different from Crysis 1 with no explaination in the game except from the developer saying they evolved to be more humanlike, total BS. AI sucks, all they do is hide behind walls and pop up and shoot. Even the aliens do that. Well, it is "artificial" intelligence after all. There are only about 5 different types of enemies. No variety, repetitive, run duck shoot run duck shoot

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After installing the game it then required me to install Origin (a software by EA) just to open the game up. According to EA Origin is so you can play your games "anywhere and anytime." Seems like the same bs creason they give you to make you accept SECUROM. Their only reason to FORCE you to download additional software AFTER you've legally purchased it from them isn't for piracy, since if that's what you wanted you wouldn't buy it legally to begin with...right? It's so they can collect data on your gaming behavior. Who knows they may collect information on your online behavior too.

The only way to get rid of these software completely is only by wiping your hard drive clean and installing a fresh OS unless you wana continue to give data to EA about everything you do. I paid 8 bucks so I'm not losing much but the last EA game I'll ever purchase. I saw the same thing on Command and Conquer Red Alert 2 or Tiberium War games. They're deciding to screw customers who legally purchase the software by invading their privacy.

Cheap Shadow Complex

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Shadow Complex sets a new bar for quality in an XBLA game. It's a side scrolling action game in the style of retro classics like Metroid and Castlevania, where exploration, hidden rooms, and power-ups all play large rolls as you progress through the game. But while the game is presented in 2 dimensions, the visuals are all beautifully rendered in 3D using the same Unreal engine seen in games like Mass Effect and Gears of War. The end result is a near perfect blend of both the old and new, and a game that feels both familiar and fresh at the same time.

Shadow Complex takes about 5-10 hours to complete, depending on how thorough you're going to be exploring the game and searching for power-ups, and is purely a single player experience. While I might usually find that a bit on the short side for a retail game, for a $15 arcade game it's just about right. Shadow Complex is easily one of my top 5 games on XBLA. I would recommend this game to just about anyone.

Update: After spending a bit more time in this game, I thought I'd expand a bit on my initial review. A lot of people have called this a "Metroid-vania" game, but really it's just Metroid. The game borrows heavily from Super Metroid, and there are more than a few weapons and power-ups that have direct analogs in the SNES classic. I don't really consider that a bad thing though. As the saying goes, if you're going to steal, steal from the best. And while Shadow Complex may not really expand on the formula laid out in Super Metroid, it refines it and polishes it to near perfection. Simply put, if you liked Super Metroid, you'll love Shadow Complex.

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A long while ago, in a time of inferior technology and rustic gameplay elements, the side-scroller reigned supreme. The genre has spawned some of the greatest games of all-time, but like all good things, it went away for a while. Being unable to cope with its absence, Chair crafted Shadow Complex a quirky, futuristic, side-scrolling shooter. To put it quite simply, it has resurrected the genre in the best way possible.

The long-running Castlevania series and the earlier Metroid titles are usually credited with being the best examples of side-scrolling ingenuity and Shadow Complex pays homage to these games in almost every way. The graph-paper maps, exorbitant amounts of upgrades, ridiculous varieties of platforming puzzles and weapons, it's all here. Orson Scott Card's "Empire" was also the basis for the story, giving it instantly more appeal. Speaking about story, the protagonist's name is Jason Bailey, a normal dude who's out frolicking with his latest pickup at the bar. Quickly, a seemingly harmless day of cave diving turns into a search and rescue operation from the clutches of a super-terrorist organization called the Restoration.

Okay, so the story isn't exactly the most detailed narrative on the planet, but this is an arcade game and that's one of the biggest shockers. The amount of shear depth is startling and the visuals Shadow Complex doles out are seriously better than some big-budget, full-priced games out there. It's Unreal Engine 3 at its finest. But the gameplay is really what makes the game shine. It's standard side-scrolling fair with a twist that can only be described as 2.5D. That means enemies can be patrolling in the backgrounds and crates could be just off to the side of where you are walking. You'd think it would make shooting a little tricky but since the game's aiming works a lot like the shooting in Geometry Wars, you don't have much of a problem hitting where you want.

My favorite aspect of the classic side-scrolling formula is being rewarded for exploration. Hell, exploring is practically synonymous with the genre. Not only will you inevitably run into some beefy items and exciting upgrades while you light up all those squares on your map, you'll also receive more experience which is a reward in itself. As you level up you'll gain additional passive statistics which don't seem like they do much, but every tenth level you'll be thrown something immensely satisfying. For instance, if you reach the 20th level the game reveals the entire map for you. It may not help those who are only interested in clearing the game, but it's a godsend for the completionist out there. And who in their right mind would stop playing the game when you're that close to getting the shield-dispensing helmet that deflects all manner of projectiles? That's what I thought.

If you've ever played some of the classic side-scrollers, you'd know that towards the end of the show it can become quite a hassle to find certain things. Maybe there's a secret wall you have to hit to find an item, but it's uncharted on your map and there's no clues to its location. Chair has paid attention to old problems like this and labeled absolutely everything. Rooms with items are marked with a "?" and become a simple dot once you've taken it. Different floor sections are color-coded and there's even a blue line (which you can disable) that shows you where you need to go next. The only issue that's apparent is that sometimes there are multiple items in a single/save room and you won't be able to see them on the map. It'll definitely make completionists frown since it's pretty tough to remember those spots.

Shadow Complex isn't a long trip (my first clear took around five hours) but it's such a memorable and fun experience that you'll definitely go through it multiple times. If you choose to do so you'll also retain your level and certain goodies you may have found if you took the time to get everything. There's also a time-trial mode called the Proving Grounds. It's nothing spectacular but the puzzles are a nice, fun distraction and the awesome leaderboard integration makes it fun to compete with friends.

With Shadow Complex, Chair has given the jump-start the side-scroller genre needs to get back on track. It's deep, intuitive, and it makes certain full-priced games look like pure garbage. Even if you're not a classic side-scrolling junkie, there's something about pushing yourself to explore the depths of the underground facility, something about finding one more upgrade for your suit, getting one more headshot for the leaderboard count. And that's when you realize it's fun at its purest level.

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If you grew up with Contra, then moved onto Super Metroid ..and then finally PS1 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ...you will flat out love this game.

It takes the 2d platformer and revamps it to 2.5d, while maintaing all the game mechanics we loved about these games ...heavy map exploration, weapon upgrades, a leveling systems, puzzles, and on top of it all it looks gorgeous for a $15 game.

I dont review anything at all, but this game is so awesome i must.

Honest reviews on Shadow Complex

I knew nothing about Shadow Complex leading up to the game's release, but after hearing a few friends hype it up and watching a few videos I purchased it right after it's release. While the game is a bit short (if you really push it you can beat it in 2 hours or so) it is still a ton of fun, worth a purchase.

Tracing it's roots back to Metrodvania, Shadow Complex is a 2.5D side scrolling platformer/adventure game. Controls are a bit odd as one stick moves your character and the other aims your gun, but after playing for a little while it becomes second nature. You start off as a mere mortal and throughout the game acquire power-ups that turn you into an unstopable behemoth (to the point where at the end of the game if you've picked up all the items you are neigh invincible). You've got a few guns to acquire, different launchers (rockets, grenade, riot foam which is fantastically fun), health/armor upgrades and suit upgrades. Suit upgrades give you new skills and let you access new areas.

You will be hard pressed to find a negative review of the game from any of the major gaming publications/sites because, quite simply, there are very few areas to fault the game on. The story is decent, the gameplay is a ton of fun, the graphics and sound are excellent, and it has a very clearly defined gameplay style that it stays within and plays well in.

If you're a fan of the old 2D Metroid games or Castlevania: Symphony of the Night you are going to absolutely love this game from start to finish, through your multiple playthroughs. If you just like well made fun to play games you'll enjoy the game equally. Give Shadow Complex a whirl.

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It really is a code! You can use it, too! I guess it's pretty good as far as codes go.

Nintendo 3DS XL Gold/Black - Limited Edition Bundle with The Legend Review

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List Price: $317.14
Sale Price: $258.79
Today's Bonus: 18% Off

[Just to let fans know THIS IS STILL AVAILABLE from retail stores! Don't waste your money on marketplace sellers just yet. Stores currently stocked: Game$top, BestBud, Wally World, Toyz R Us, Target]

It's a 3DS XL and it's Zelda does anything else matter? Every piece of Zelda merchandise I've ever owned has been top quality, and I don't expect this to be any different. With that said, I have seen the hands-on video of the unit making the rounds, and it looks fantastic! I really like that the inside is gold instead of just black (a la that stupid black "Zelda" Wii U), and the gold lettering on the buttons is a nice touch. The way they did the light Triforce on the front and the dark Triforce on the back is so clever. They even moved the informational text on the bottom to the side so it doesn't interfere with the Triforce. Good job, Nintendo!

But alas, it looks like the stylus isn't gold :(

The gold finish is matte, not shiny :)

Also, the bundle comes with a digital copy of the game, not a physical copy.

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Just as others have stated dont buy the one from the marketplace. This is still available for preorder and they will have them in stock on black friday save yourself hundreds of dollars. This comes with a digital copy of the game and looks sweet.

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Do not order this for $488, it is still available for $219!!!!!

Pro Sell are a bunch of rip offs for offering this.

Honest reviews on Nintendo 3DS XL Gold/Black - Limited Edition Bundle with The Legend

This 3DS is not worth nearly this much! Its only worth $220 dollars everywhere! I don't know how they think they can get away with raising the price double of what its worth.

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don't order this through the amazon marketplace. you can preorder this at gamestop for $219. totally not worth overpaying for this item

Roadie U Universal Bass Drum Pedal for Rock Band 1 Review

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It works. Does it's purpose and was affordable. We do double bass, perhaps make them more durable? That is all.

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I dont play rockband or guitar hero. (only rocksmith cause its the best) However I am getting into percussion after years of playing guitar and this pedal works perfectly with my tabletop Pyle PTED01. I assume it would work just as well with other electronic drums kits. I cant say whether it will register and work with certain games because for me, this has nothing to do with my XBOX 360. Its easier to use than the plastic pedals that are for the games though. The spring is weaker and thus more responsive to double tapping or w/e you call hitting your heals before the balls of your feet. It looks cool and is built to last. Thought anyone with electric drums might appreciate this info cause every other review is about xbox and ps3.