The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D Reviews

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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, is truly a special game. It is one of those rare treats in an artistic medium for which the universal praise and superlatives are entirely true no matter what angle you look at it from. Very few would argue against Ocarina of Time's greatness, or its lasting impact on the industry as a whole, and the fact remains that even after all these years since its release, it still reigns supreme as the world record holder for highest rated game in history. To attempt to remake such a classic masterpiece is a very daunting task indeed, but developer Grezzo, under Nintendo's watchful eye, did just that. The question is, is the remake worthy of the original's name? In short, yes, yes it is. This, to me, is the shining example of what remakes should be, but allow me to go into greater detail to explain why I think this.

Full Disclosure: The Legend of Zelda series is my favorite franchise in video games (a hobby I consider my favorite pastime). It is no stretch to say that Ocarina could very well be the greatest video game ever made thus far in the relatively young entertainment medium. The incredibly epic story of good versus evil, the compelling characters, the masterful gameplay, the beautiful art design, the iconic music, the sheer variety and amount of excellent content, the majesty and mystery of exploring the massive (at the time of its release, anyway) world of Hyrule, Ocarina had it all, and honestly, it still does. You could play this today in its original format and despite its age, you'd still get a masterpiece (as evident by its popularity on the Wii Virtual Console). I make no apologies for my belief in these statements, and I stand by them. Obviously, when considering how to rate a remake, you first have to consider the backbone of the package by analyzing the original works being remade. Ocarina 3D has one of the best games ever to work with, so no problems here. Second, you have to consider what work went into the game to qualify it as a "remake" AND if it benefits the original work enough to warrant a remake treatment. How does Ocarina of Time 3D fare in that regard?

Back in 1998, Ocarina of Time was groundbreaking in many ways as a 3D adventure game, but one of the most striking examples of this were in its visuals. If you play the original today, you'll obviously notice Ocarina has aged pretty horribly, despite the timeless art design, gameplay, music, story, etc. Graphically, Ocarina needed a facelift, and this 3DS remake does just that masterfully. From character models/animations to structures to textures, literally everything was remade from the ground up visually. Grezzo's goal in remaking the visuals was to finally channel the exact art design that was originally conceived, seen through the original official concept/promotional art for the game. That been said, rather than being the detailed, adult graphic novel style of Twilight Princess, OoT3D is more like a vibrant, colorful stylized comic book/anime. Is that bad? By no means! It's more a matter of personal taste.

Personally, I think this game is absolutely gorgeous! The 3DS is essentially a portable Gamecube in terms of graphical capabilities, so imagine that kind of power channeling the original epic concept and promotional art for Ocarina and you have a pretty good idea what you're looking at here. If you don't think the difference between the original and this is much, I dare you to say so after looking at videos and screenshots of them side-by-side. Yes, in terms of visuals, Grezzo nailed it with this remake! To play Ocarina with the visuals it was always intended to have before but couldn't because of hardware limitations is reason enough alone to warrant a purchase, but that's not all Ocarina 3D has going for it visually.

Another visual treatment that this remake got was one that only the 3DS could offer: 3-D (duh). In all honesty, this is one of the better examples of 3-D on the 3DS. I actually found myself playing the game with the 3D slider all the way up most of the time, and viewed it as an essential aspect to the experience, something I did not expect going into it. That 3-D effect really lent this feeling of organic life to the game, and helped Hyrule truly feel like this living, breathing world. As gimmicky as that all may sound, it's very true in this game's case. Nintendo did a great job making this a showpiece for the 3DS' three-dimensional capabilities. The only problem I ever encountered in this area was image ghosting in places where there was very high contrast, but that's more of a criticism of the 3DS' screen system and not this game.

Koji Kondo's work as the main composer in Ocarina of Time is unrivaled in terms of iconic, brilliant music in a game. To this day, Ocarina's music is required listening for any fan of Nintendo, Zelda, video games, you name it. That been said, they did not rock the boat when handling the soundtrack for this game. The music was remastered, but plays pretty much unaltered in any way from the original (per Kondo's request). It's fun to take in the sound/music design in this game, as the original was pretty groundbreaking in this way. For example, the Hyrule field theme would change in pace and instrumentation depending on circumstances, which is something we take for granted today, but back then it was amazing. It is still impressive today. Grezzo's treatment of the audio was extremely respectful, upgrading and refining without altering, and as a massive fan of Zelda, that is exactly what I wanted.

The controls are as intuitive and satisfying as ever, and in some areas may actually be better than the good ol' N64 "pitchfork" set-up, which has always worked so well. The lower touchscreen on the 3DS is utilized to great effect, making looking at the map, changing equipment and gear, changing the view to first-person, talking to Navi, using two of four item slots, and playing the Ocarina easily accessible. Otherwise, the action buttons are masterfully mapped on the 3DS' button layout, no complaints there. I DID find my hand cramping after extended play due to the button placement for z-targeting and shield usage, but that's more criticism of the slick, compact 3DS itself. This 3DS hand grip helped *immensely* in that way (and if you have a 3DS XL, then I highly recommend this grip). You also have the option to use the 3DS' gyroscopic capabilities to aim things like your bow that feels really good to use, but that often means losing the 3-D effect, so there is a trade-off there.

To summarize, this remake is, in my opinion, the best version of one of the best video games ever made. It makes substantial upgrades to the original in its visuals, 3-D implementation, audio remastering, controls, as well as the inclusion of the Master Quest (a game that plays the same as the original, except that it is mirrored and the temples/dungeons are very different and much harder, as a challenge to Ocarina veterans). The fact that this new portable version of one of the most revered games ever channels the spirit of the original so perfectly while still feeling brand new again is pretty amazing. In my opinion, that is everything a remake should be, and is exponentially better than the hideously lazy cash grab opportunities that comprise most remake/rerelease/port efforts, but in all honesty, this isn't really a "remake." No, it's more of a respectful refinement. You can tell that the developers were constantly cognizant of the massive shoes of the original, and so refined all that had aged and respectfully left untouched all that makes this game so timeless, and timeless it most certainly is. It is just as good now as it was 13 years ago, and is a game that would be worth buying the 3DS for alone. Yes, Ocarina of Time is indeed one of the greatest games ever made, but here's what you maybe didn't expect: Ocarina of Time 3D actually refines and improves upon this timeless masterpiece. Buy it, save the beautiful kingdom of Hyrule once again, and become the destined Hero of Time.

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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is arguably the greatest video game ever made. Even when running on the Nintendo 64's very limited hardware, it captured the imagination and the hearts of gamers everywhere. Now, this masterpiece has been given a facelift and very impressive 3D remastering for the Nintendo 3DS. Suffice it to say that this is the first game for the 3DS that is worth buying a console over.

The story, dungeons and game progression have remained unchanged for this release, so if you're a Zelda purist you'll be happy to know that everything in the original game is intact. The difference is in the graphics quality. It's clear that Nintendo went through some lengths to fulfill the original vision they had for the N64 version. The result is a game that looks brand new. I never played the original version, but playing through the 3DS version I honestly can't picture this ever being on the N64. The faces look MUCH improved, the textures are more realistic and the colors are vibrant and eye-popping. The 3D effect is jaw-dropping beautiful. If possible, this game needs to be played with the 3D slider all the way up. Particles gently float in and out of the screen, distance is really clearly discernable (especially running around Hyrule Field), and enemies freely pop in and out at you as well. This is now the best use of 3D on this new console. And since we now have a second screen to work with, the HUD has been completely removed from the main screen. Your life bar, equipped weapons and items and the map are all on the lower touchscreen, leaving the 3D screen free to only display the glorious 3D graphics. Switching items is as simply as touching them on the lower screen. There are also optional motion controls available for looking around in first-person view, where you move the 3DS around to look at things. If this is not your cup of tea, you can always revert to analog control from the settings menu.

This remake is simply marvelous. I knew Nintendo had spruced up the game, but I was very pleasantly surprised at just how vast an improvement it really is. While the game may still be a bit difficult for casual gamers (especially the mirrored Master Quest that unlocks upon finishing the main game), serious gamers who own a 3DS are doing themselves a disservice if they don't buy this game! The best video game ever made has officially gotten even better.

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I have played the original and every iteration after. This version is truely unique. It's not the stunning remastered graphics, because on the gamecube they changed textures and that did little to change much. It's not the easier to manage control scheme, because the game has spaned 3 consoles before this with 2 control schemes (c-stick ocarina was NOT fun). It's the feeling of the game that's really new. I've played before, hundreds of times, and this is game feels like the first.

You can tell that those who worked on this have played as much as any other player who's had it since the beginning. From the big changes (like switching from a boomerang puzzle to a bomb puzzle in the Gohma larva room), to the ever so slight (like moving the grated north wall of the first basement room over 1 foot, so you can't collect the skulltula token while jump slashing off the edge and thus have to regular jump)(or like how all the logs on the top floor are all the same length instead of being different). Some glitches are fixed (like the Humping Skulltula in the plateform room), and overall the game plays exactly like it used to.

I am extremely pleased with this game, and I couldn't have been happier that they took the time to actually look into every detail regardless of how small. The years of waiting where worth it.

The legend has been reborn, and that legend is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

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In the field of motion pictures, a generally accepted norm for "greatest film ever made" seems to be Orson Welles' classic

"Citizen Kane." Because games are a relatively young medium compared to cinema, it was only until about 14 years ago that

a contender for "greatest game ever made" stepped forth. To this day, many consider it to be the birthing place of 3D conventions

that are still used quite frequently. That game is "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time", and on the 25'th anniversary of the

Zelda franchise, Nintendo has given it a facelift on it's newest handheld, the 3DS. Diehard fans of the original (raises hand)

and newcomers alike are about to astounded by the results.

For the virgins in the audience, "Ocarina of Time" follows Link, a young boy who lives in the Kokiri Forest, a place where children frolic about with fairy companions. But a peaceful game this is not, for the patriarch of the forest, The Great Deku Tree, summons the boy before him and reveals that he has a much bigger life ahead of him than previously expected. Before he passes on, the tree sends Link on a quest that will span vast distances, and transcend the very fabric of time itself. This quest will determine the future of Hyrule, for if the young warrior fails, the land which is home to thousands will be plunged into an eternity of nightmares by Ganondorf, known by many as the King of Evil.

With this plot, the stage is set for a journey of epic proportions. Back in the Nintendo 64 era, a game of this scope was unheard of, and revolutionized what we expected from interactive entertainment forever. But does it hold up by today's harsh standards? With what Nintendo has done, it not only holds up, but still exceeds a good 90% of what we see on the market in 2011. For a game made over a decade ago, that's no easy feat.

Of course, to do this, the developers had to perform cosmetic surgery on the whole experience. The first, most noticeable change is the fact that the graphics have been rebuilt entirely. Gone are the blocky sprites we saw so many years ago; every character, even the vast multitude of NPCs, are positively teeming with life, moving with fluid gestures we never thought capable from the game. That attention has also been given to the many locales the player will be visiting, with every town, dungeon and field popping off of the screen. These are the most impressive graphics out there on the 3DS right now, and without a doubt the most novel use of it's 3D capabilities. When plugged into a wall, playing with the 3D turned on is highly recommended, for it will provide an experience that simply must be seen to be appreciated.

But a simple graphical overhaul just wouldn't be enough for a game with admittedly antiquated mechanics, which is why "OoT 3D" makes brilliant use of the system's dual screens. The new gameplay eliminates having to shift through four different menus on one pause screen, allocating all item and equipment management to the bottom touch screen. The abilities to equip four items at once, to shuffle through equipment at a breakneck pace, and no longer having to equip the Ocarina are all welcome changes to the game. Also welcome is the gyroscope in the 3DS, meaning that you can now aim items such as the hookshot and bow with your own hands. This kind of interactivity beats even the Wii Remote aiming present in "Twilight Princess", and after engaging in it, you'll find it hard going back to the old method.

Some things shouldn't be touched when modifying the classics, though; just look at what Spielberg did to "E.T." One of the most beloved things about "OoT" is Koji Kondo's chill-inducing soundtrack, and diehards will pleased to know that it remains entirely intact in this remake. While it would've been nice to see some kind of orchestral rearrangement of the score, the nostalgia nerd in all of us will feel right at home with these tunes.

Extras, like the Master Quest and boss gauntlet, are really just icing on the cake. This is a killer version of a killer game, and perhaps now the strongest reason to own a 3DS. This writer cannot emphasize enough on how absolutely phenomenal this game is, and in the end, it's up to you to take the first step on your journey to save Hyrule, whether it's your first or five-hundreth.

Do you have what it takes?

Plot: A+

Gameplay: A+

Graphics: A+

Music: A+

Overall: A+ (Superb)

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I've been a Zelda fan since the first game came out for NES. "Ocarina of Time" is one of the best games in the series. It's tied with "A Link to the Past" for my favorite.

This game is the sole reason I bought a 3DS, and I am NOT disappointed. The graphics have a slight improvement over N64 version with a higher framerate. The colors are brighter and more defined. The touchscreen is useful for quickly equipping weapons without opening the menu. Also the additional item buttons on the touchscreen are nice.

The movement/gyro sensors make targeting better than ever. It seemed like a gimmick at first to physically move the DS to adjust the view for shooting with the slingshot (for example) or viewing an area in first person, but I find myself using it every time. The only downside is it requires turning the 3D off because it loses its focus if you don't stare into the screen dead-on. I find myself leaving the 3D off for this game anyways. I prefer the look and gameplay in 2D, even though the 3D looks great.

I haven't finished the game yet, but I can't wait to play the master quest! I played it on the gamecube port and it was definitely challenging. I am pleased they included it for the 3DS version. Overall I will give this game 5 stars. It's gameplay, sound, graphics, story, and replayability are stellar. I recommend everybody with a 3DS go buy this game NOW.

Review of Pro Fishing Challenge

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Online tournaments, fantastic

I couldn't believe what a great game this is. A fisherman for over 30 years I didn't expect much but this game is truly is a fishing simulator. The best part about it is online options and lobby you can create any kind of fishing tournament restricting the line to 2 pound test, pan fish only, all the way to any combination you can think of . You can even restrict motors to four hp or any boat they own.

Nightly tournaments are held at 5:30 p.m. Pacific 8:30 p.m. Eastern to check the complete fishing tournament schedule and calendar go to XBLgames.com

This game is a must-have for anyone even remotely interested in fishing but it is an excellent videogame for those who don't fish. Being a simulator it will also help you learn how to fish.

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This is an excellent game. You have to find good fishing spots, and arrange your tackle. There is tons of equipment, boats, etc to choose from. This is the best fishing simulation I have ever played on a console. The game is easier if you already have a good amount of fishing knowledge, but the game will teach you if you're patient. This is a great game to play online with friends while chatting. It's fun just to drive your boat up to a competitor and watch them reel in the big one. I almost feel like I'm outside fishing when I play this game.

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This is the best fishing game you can buy for the xbox. It's a true simulation of fishing, and it does take some fishing knowledge, that the game will teach you. This is a vey fun game to play online and offline. I highly recommend it, even if you've never fished before

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I know this game is old and on regular xbox but you can play it on the 360. I am an avid fisherman and have played almost every fishing game out from Black Bass on old school nintendo to Rapala Fishing on xbox360 and this game destroys all of them. It is so realistic with using every type of lure and plastics you can think of, the choice of spinner or baitcasting reels, rod strengths, braided, mono, flourocarbon line, texas, carolina, and another rig I forgot, and so much more. You start out fishing tourneys building up your career from getting a simple jon boat to buying a beautiful bass boat and buying more and more tackle as you get more money. There are different types of casting and you can troll around too. The controls on this game are phenomenal which I rate this the best fishing game ever. I hope they make a newer version for the 360.

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This is the most realistic fishing title out there that I have found. The graphics are way cool and the fact that you can't see underwater makes it even more realistic. All you see is you, the boat, and your environment above the water. Nice. I had so much fun with this game that I had to stick with it until I beat it and collected all the boats, motors, and colors. The bass boats with the biggest motors are so much fun to drive! I highly recommend this game.

Buy Sniper Elite: Nazi Zombie Army

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Sniper Elite: Nazi Zombie Army is one of those game that catches you by surprise. Not for the amount of content, but for the amount of fun and time you end up spending playing this creepy, yet extremely fun game.

The premise is simple, you and 3 more players battle hordes of zombies, from normal slashing zombies, to sniper zombies, heavy gunners, suicide freaks and bosses.

The graphics are sharp, but for the highest settings, you may need a decent PC, I have a high end PC, but don't always use all the highest settings, sometimes a few settings set to off can improve game performance. I did not experience any frame issues and not once did I experience any lag during MP.

Mulitiplayer connections are stablished without any headaches. You can start a game with only 2 players, which is cool by me, specially if there isn't many players around or if you get the usual player whom can't wait for a room to fill up and leaves. Well, like I said, with this game, you simply start the game and have all the fun you can.

The game is a third person view game, but will switch to FPS as soon as you zoom in, but only with the sniper rifle, after all, it is call "Sniper Elite". Which brings my next point, you get 3 weapons and 4 types of explosives. The weapons are: a sniper rifle of course, a sub-machine gun and hand gun, all WWII style of course. You get plenty of ammo for the sniper rifle, about 100 rounds, but you get very limited ammo for the machine and hand gun. Once you pop a zombie, you can press E next to his body and loot him for goods, mostly granades and ammo. The machine and hand gun are used for emergencies, at least that's what I do, for when a re-load on your sniper rifle might take too long.

Explosives include granades, land mines, trip wire and charges, all of which, except the granades, can be detonated by shooting at them if that's what you choose to do.

You start the game with your buds or by yourself and must make your way to a safe house, where you can re-stock on ammo, but your secondary weapons may not always get all the ammo you need, which you must get from hit zombies instead. From each safe house, you must move to the nex point, to another safe house then to finally fight a boss, which by the way ,is not easy at all; again, team work and carefuly placed explosives do the trick.

If you played "Sniper Elite" for the 360/PS3 then you know what the "X-ray kill cam" after-shot is. If not, well, when you hold your breath, with E, you get a steady shot, that when hits a zombie on a strategic place, the camera will switch from your sniper view to a small cut scene (very short one) that will take view of the bullet leaving the barrel, traveling and hitting the zombie, whom will have an x-ray vision of his body and the bullet tearing him apart. THIS HOWEVER is only visible on SP, during MP, you still get the cut scene, but it is about half a second and you only see the zombie being hit, no X-ray. This works perfectly, because in MP, the chaos is that much greater and you must remain vigilant and ready for more zombies coming at you.

The game has 3 different experience levels or difficulty if you must. Cadet, Marksman and Sniper Elite.

If you've played games such as Killing Floor or Left 4 Dead, then you'll be right at home with Sniper Elite. The controls are simple, yet effective. I use a Logitech mechanical keyboard (G710+) and 2012 Razer Mamba and they both work great.

Like the title of my review says, this is a Steam Activated game, so no need to download the file from Amazon, simply copy and paste the product key or code, then activate on your Steam account.

All in all. Even though there are only a few maps available for this game, they do have and pack a punch, they are full of excitement, fun and plenty of action. I had my doubts at first, quite honestly, but my doubts were put to rest as soon as I started my very first game, OFF line may I add, once I tried the MP, I was totally hooked (played 5 hours straight) and soon realized that this game is the best $15 I've spent in a while.

Good luck....

Steam User: BT-TONY.

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This is a fun little zombie shooter. It has the look and feel of a mashup between Left 4 Dead and the Nazi Zombie mode from the Call of Duty series. There are 5 scenarios that you can play through with up to 3 of your friends. As you traverse each scenario, you get to shoot down quite a lot of zombies, skeletons, magically enhanced jumping snipers, suicide bombers, and heavy duty machine gunners while trying to make it to the next safe room. Each scenario does have an end to it, usually by way of a massive zombie horde or a ghostly boss that summons lesser zombies to his aid.

The game definitely has its exciting moments. The suicide bombers, in particular, can create some intense, and hilarious, situations. My chief complaint with this game is with its replayability. After you've played the maps once or twice, you'll be able to avoid all of the GOTCHA!! moments and should have very little trouble with the finales. This feels very much like a "once and you're done" kind of game. If the company were to Introduce more scenarios as well as a randomizer, this game would have legs.

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Great game, super fun. The download itself was no hassle. Loved it! If you love zombie games then this is perfect!

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not too hard (if you play middle setting), great graphics, windows 7, only thing took about an hr to D.L. (goes through STEAM), lots of fun

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This game is okay. In Singleplayer it gets pretty boring after about an hour or two because it's mostly just your character running around killing waves of zombies. But in the Co-op mode it instantly becomes a very fun game. The zombies are kind of gimmicky, and the base game (Sniper Elite V2) is much better, but hey, for the $5 I got it for, (it frequently goes on sale for $5) I'd say it's worth it. I'll give it a 7.5/10

Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged Reviews

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Xbox Arcade Unplugged is a collection of some of the best-selling games from the Xbox Live Arcade on the Xbox 360. Included is 6 games, 3 demos and a 1 month subscription to live.

1 month of live (retail $8) It is a great service for online play of any game. You can download and rent movies, buy tv episodic content, and chat with friends, families, and strangers around the world.

Bejeweled 2 (retail $10)A popular puzzle game in which you try to match up jewels in order to get to the next level. There are several modes to Bejeweled, some unlockable. The game is a real challenge, and if you like puzzle games, you will be pleased with Bejeweled 2.

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved (retail $5) An instant classic in the tradition of Asteroids. You fly around in a 'ship' trying to destroy geometric shapes, each having their own characteristics. As you progress, the games elements get harder, and more shapes are introduced. A fantastic game that is fun for just about everyone.

Hardwood Backgammon (retail $5) Classic Backgammon action. You can play against a friend on the couch, vs. the computer, or take on someone online on Xbox Live. Hardwood Backgammon is also Camera Enabled.

Outpost Kaloki X (retail $10) A strategy game in which you are in outer space, attempting to manage power and research. A variety of missions and scenarios to keep you busy are included.

Wik and the Fable of Souls (retail $10) A crazy game about a small creature who uses his tongue to eat bugs and whip around treelimbs. Part puzzle game, part action, this game can be very challenging. There are over 120 levels in the game, each one being more difficult than the last.

Texas Hold 'em (retail $10) This may be the junk of the bundle. A poorly executed attempted interface leaves most poker players wondering why they didn't copy any of the popular online poker sites and their interface. Often multiplayer works too slow, while you wait for others to take their turn. There are some scenarios to work on in single player. Overall, it isn't too bad, but it leaves a lot to be desired amongst poker players.

Also included are demos of Uno, Marble Blast Ultra, and Feeding Frenzy.

Uno is the classic card game everyone knows. It translates to Xbox Live very well and is camera enabled. It has a wide variety of gameplay options, including partner play. Marble Blast Ultra is a game in which you try to move your marble around to the exit point. Each level is brilliantly designed, colorful, and challenging. Feeding Frenzy is a great game for all ages, in which you start each level as a small fish, eating other fish and growing as you do so.

If you bought everything in this package for retail price, it would cost you $58. Even if you only need a couple of the $10 games, it's still agreat bargain with the 1 month of Xbox Live for free.

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I bought this game just for Texas Hold'em and Geometry Wars, but with the free Xbox live Gold month and Bejewled 2 is a great *CHEAP* addition to any collection. Particularly, I thought Bejeweled 2 was a boring PC game, wich I had played, but it happens to be a lot more fun without a mouse and in a big HD screen with great sound. Wik is a great puzzle game, you have to think thru each level, although it might be less shiny than Eets but its good. The backgammon game is fun in LIVE and with a partner in the same room, of course not for people looking for action and explosions. I haven't played Outpost Kaloki X much, but it's another thinking game, some strategy like the "Something" tycoon games or ye olde good Sim City. In all this are games for thinkers, even Geometry wars in a way, so I recommend this great collection just for those tired of the shooters, races, aliens, etc. or just for the in between battle moments!

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Geometry wars is the main reason I bought this compilation, so it's pretty sweet. Outpost Kaloki X is surprisingly fun as a space tycoon / sim. The other games aren't really worth anything, fun for a little while I suppose.

I bought it for less than $10, so for that price, 2 fun arcade games is pretty nice.

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Geometry wars, Kaloki X, Wik: Fable of souls, they're all awesome. This is a great value for some casual gaming. I'd buy it again any day. And for >$10, it's a steal. Worth every penny.

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The games on this are available for download from XBOX Live (XBL), so if you have already purchased one or more that way it may not be a good value for you.

This went on sale during Christmas 2007 for $7.99 and was an absolute bargain. It includes 1 month of XBOX Live Gold which alone is worth $3.33/month if you average it by the typical cost of $40/year.

I believe most of the games on here run 400 Microsoft Points on XBL or $5 each when you extrapolate the cost of the points. Given that, it is a good deal even at the current list price.

UPDATE: I have read that the XBL 1 month offer is expired. Yes, the date on it is expired. However, I have yet not been able to use an 'expired' XBL code. I purchased an XBL 1 year card and lost it for 2 years... when I found it again (yay) I decided to give it a try even though it was well over a year past expiration. It worked without any issue, just like the 1 month code that came with this game.

Best Dead Rising 2 - Xbox 360 Deals

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QUICK NOTES:

First of all, I wanna say that I give this game a solid 4.5 stars, or 9/10. Wouldn't it be great if Amazon used a 10 star rating system?!

If you're somebody who's never played Dead Rising, I think you may still find this review helpful in deciding whether to buy Dead Rising 2. If nothing else, check out sections 8 and 9.

If you've played the original Dead Rising and don't want to read a review this long, you should scroll down to parts 3, 8 and 9.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction & Background

2. Overview & Story

3. The Save System

4. General Gameplay

5. Enemies, Weapons, & Combat

6. Graphics

7. Sound

8. Summary

9. Who Should Buy This Game?

1. INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND:

It's been over four years since the original Dead Rising was released exclusively for Microsoft's then-less-than-year-old Xbox 360. It featured a wildly fun blend of absurd improvised weapons, a large game world to explore, dozens of original characters, and plenty of over-the-top Japanese humor. Oh, and Zombies. Lots and lots of old school, dumb-as-a-box-of-rocks, slower-than-Rosie-O'Donnel-after-a-big-meal Zombies. And we found them as fun to kill as they found us delicious to eat.

All of these things made Dead Rising stand out from the pack, not just of games in general, but also the survival horror genre itself. I mean, what kind of game allows you to use a machine gun on your enemies one second, and the next, if you so choose, throw a giant stuffed teddy bear at them? What kind of game pits you against not only the undead, but enemies such as an opera singing clown who twirls around with two chainsaws, or a 300 pound lesbian police woman, or a Rambo wannabe who owns a camping supply store? No doubt about it, Dead Rising is truly a modern classic. Unfortunately, for all of its virtues, it had several very obvious and frustrating flaws.

Seeing as how many of the people reading this will most likely be familiar with the original Dead Rising, I will make reference to it throughout this review, comparing the two games along the way, noting improvements and, in some cases, setbacks.

2. OVERVIEW & STORY.

I'm not a big fan of reviews that go deep into plots (they usually just end up spoiling the game, don't they?), so I'll only make a few remarks in that direction.

You don't have to look any further than the game's package to realize that you no longer play as photographer Frank West. Instead, you play as former Motocross champ Chuck Greene. It's been 5 years since the zombie outbreak at Willamette, and the hordes of undead have been either killed or captured. But before the situation became under control, Chuck's wife was killed, and his daughter, Katey, bitten. Fortunately for Chuck and Katey, there exists a drug, Zombrex, that prevents a bitten person from turning into a zombie. Thing is, it's gotta be administered every 24 hours, or the transformation to a zombie will take place.

As if Chuck didn't have enough to worry about in caring for his would-be zombie daughter, a horde of zombies is *intentionally* released from captivity, and Chuck is framed for it. And so Dead Rising 2 begins. After the orchestrated outbreak, our hero manages to get to a safe room (which plays the role the security room did in the first game), along with his daughter and a handful of other survivors. From there, Chuck must venture from safety in search of Zombrex for Katey, other survivors, and ultimately the person who framed him.

3. THE SAVE SYSTEM:

Let's get this question out of the way right off the bat. Anyone one who played the original Dead Rising knows what a joke its save system was. First of all, you were only allowed one save slot per storage device, so multiple games, back-up saves for safety, and experimentation were out of the picture. As if that weren't bad enough, you had to either go to the security room, or else find a bathroom in order to save your game. Problem was, bathrooms were few and far between. That's a pretty big deal when you're playing a game that runs on a a very sensitive and strict time limit. You'd very often find yourself doing the math on whether or not you had time to go find a save point, or risk dying to beat the clock. I mean, let's say you take 10 minutes to find a save point, that could very well have meant that when you loaded up your game next, you found yourself with too little time to complete an objective, because finding the save point took too long. And if it happened to be a main story objective that you didn't have time to complete, well then it sucked to be you, because that meant you had to start the game all over again if you wanted to finish the story! Or let's say you came across an unexpected boss battle on the way to a save point, and you got yourself killed -that could mean hours and hours of gameplay lost. S***! Now, I have no objection to challenging games per se', but if a game is challenging, it should be by *design*, not by design *flaw*. To sum it up, the original Dead Rising's gameplay was a blend of 90% OMGBBQ awesomeness and OMGWTF? time-wasting flaws. Playing through it was a little like being married to a spectacularly beautiful woman -only she sounded like Barry White and smelled faintly of burning tires. But I digress...

So, did Capcom fix the flaws in what would otherwise be the best game since Checkers? I'd say yes, and no. Mostly Yes. You now have *3* save slots, and bathrooms are much, much more plentiful, generally being located in each area of the map. This allows the kind of breathing room that truly makes this sequel a more enjoyable game. Sure, I'd prefer a save-anywhere-anytime system (and you probably would, too), but what Dead Rising 2 offers is definitely a reasonable improvement. In short, if the overly restrictive save system was you problem with Dead Rising, I think you will be satisfied with the extra leeway given to you in this sequel.

(Just as an aside, remember what game saving used to be like? Remember the original Nintendo? Remember the fat neighbor kid getting up from the couch to get another Pepsi and his prodigious bulk being enough to send tremors through floor that were just disruptive enough to freeze the game you just spent all Saturday morning playing? Well, I do. And looking back, I'm pretty grateful for today's save systems in general!)

4. GENERAL GAMEPLAY:

Instead of reinventing the wheel with Dead Rising 2, Capcom kept all that they did right, and tried to fix what they did wrong. Such close similarities to a previous game would be feel like lazy design in most cases, but Dead Rising's formula is so original, fun, and addicting, that the similarities feel more like smart design choices than they do lazy cop outs. While the core of the game, location type, time-sensistive gameplay, and enemies are essentially the same, this a true sequel. So, what's the same and what's different?

First and most obvious, the location is brand new. Willamette is miles away. DR2 takes place in Fortune City, Nevada -a Gambling mecca that was built over what used to be Las Vegas. The particular place you find yourself in is in fact another shopping center with dozens of unique stores. Even though it's generally the same type of setting, because of the different stores, objects, surroundings, and even music, Fortune City has a very different vibe to it than Willamette's shopping mall. In other words, it's no re-hash.

The type of objectives in Dead Rising 2 are very similar to the first game's. You have a person informing you of the locations of survivors in the shopping center, and you fight your way to them in attempted rescue. This is a much less frustrating process in this sequel. For one thing, in the first game, if you didn't have an HDTV, you were probably out of luck when it came to reading the text that informed you of mission updates and objective details. It was a frustrating guessing game as to what you were *actually supposed to do*. Capcom has fixed this; the text in DR2 is much larger and is contrasted nicely against a much more forgiving background. Also, when it comes to actually escorting survivors, they are much more alert and competent when navigating through zombies and defending themselves. And, as for actually getting them into the safe room, instead of having to clear out an elevator full of zombies, force the survivors to enter the elevator, and then take them too a roof where they may or may not feel like jumping up to the platform where the duct to safety was located, you now simply take them down a hall and down some stairs into a room where the duct is located. Much, much simpler.

Also, while action packed and often intense, this game is refreshing in that it doesn't take itself too seriously. For example, one of the unique things about the game world is that you can wear almost any clothing you find in the mall. Let me tell you, it adds a whole new dynamic to cut scenes when Chuck is wearing short shorts and a giant teddy bear head!

5. ENEMIES, WEAPONS, & COMBAT:

Zombies.

The undead are obviously the most common enemy. They act and move like the idiots that they are. One zombie is no threat, but face large numbers of them, and you've got your work cut out for ya. But again, wherever you look, you have the improvised weapons you need to easily defeat these flesh hungry morons.

Bosses.

In addition to zombies, Dead Rising 2 has some fantastic bosses, just as the first game did. I have to say, this is one of my favorite things to find in a game. I happen to be a huge fan of the Metal Gear Solid franchise, and I know at least part of that appeal has to do with MGS's memorable, over-the-top boss battles. But whereas those bosses are usually very eccentric in a dramatic way, Dead Rising 2's bosses are very eccentric in a funny and silly way. When you beat them, the toughness of the fight isn't was sticks out in your mind, instead you find yourself thinking, "Man, that guy was CRAZY!" You have to tale down some real loons in this game and I'll betcha they'll remind you of at least one loopy person that you know.

Non-boss Psychopaths.

In the wake of the chaos caused by the new zombie outbreak, looters occupy the mall, looking to get those fancy rollerblades they couldn't previously afford. These chumps are faster, tougher, and more deadly than the zombies, but a few whacks to the head with a bat (or whatever) will convince them to lay down for a while (if you know what I mean).

Special Operations Soldiers.

These guys don't show up until the end of Day 3. Unknown to the survivors, this isn't a rescue squad, but a clean-up crew. Anyone unlucky enough to find themselves in Fortune City when they show up better be ready for a fight. Unlike the zombies, even one of these special ops guys can pose a threat if you don't handle them in the right way.

Melee.

In terms of melee combat, Dead Rising 2 feels almost identical to the first one, except that there seem to be slip ups now and then when weapons don't make hits, even though they made contact in the animation. This problem is very minor, and doesn't take much away from the gameplay.

Of course, at the heart of it, combat in this game is mostly about using whatever you can to work your way through the masses of undead. Saw blades, pearl necklaces, CD's, shotguns, umbrellas, swords, bottles of vodka . . . literally, whatever! Make use of it all to survive the fight!

What's more, Capcom has stepped it up with a really nifty weapons combo system. There are workshops located throughout the game in which you can combine certain objects to make super weapons. Have some nails and a bat? Combine them to make a spiked club. Or, taken straight from a drunken four year-old's idea of what it's like to be Wolverine, you could put knives through your boxing gloves and make some lethal hand claws! There are so many combos to put together, and not only do they make you more deadly, you get more experience points for using them, and they last longer than normal weapons. Win, win.

Guns.

One of the biggest improvement in DR2 is the refined gunplay. In the last game, you'd have to pull the right trigger to bring up your sights, and press X to shoot, which just felt awkward to anyone who's ever played a modern day shooter. Even when you got the sights up, moving your crosshair around was less than smooth, making gun combat more of a hassle than a thrill. In Dead Rising 2, however, they've switched to the much more intuitive layout of using the left trigger to bring up the sights, and the right trigger to fire. As a result, aiming is much smoother and more responsive. Even the crosshair itself is refined, having gone from a lifeless "plus" sign, to a fully functional reticle that indicates when you can and can't take accurate shots (by shrinking and expanding, depending on movement).

Hand-to-Hand.

Oddly enough, hand to hand fighting has changed for the worse. Chuck's combat move list is noticeably smaller than Frank's was. Not a big deal though, as the weapons will keep you plenty busy.

6. GRAPHICS:

The looks of Dead Rising 2 are only slightly better than the first's. The lighting and shadowing are better, but in reality, there have only been what look like minor texture and character model improvements. On the other hand, there are plenty of instances when there are far more zombies on screen at one time than in the original game (up to 7,0001!). What good would top notch visuals be if they only lead to lag? For all the action that's taking place, Dead Rising 2's graphics are respectable.

One thing that a lot of people will find annoying, though, is the sheer number and length of loading screens. They really chop up the pace and flow of the game. This will be to Dead Rising 2 what the crappy save system was to Dead Rising 1, in the sense that it's what people are going to be disappointed with about the most.

When it's all said and done, I don't find less than stellar graphics and frequent loading screens to be that big of a hinderance. I mean, I just played through Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic the other day. Outdated graphics? Yes. One of the best game experiences, even to this day? Absolutely. Beauty is only skin deep, as they say.

7. SOUND:

Sound effects are top-notch. Gun shots, baseball bats, knife slashing, zombie moans, chainsaws -everything sounds just like it should. The voice acting is pretty good, too. Don't expect Oscar level performances, but given the wacky and goofy nature of the characters, everything feels spot on. However, there is still a fair bit of text to be read when interacting with survivors, and with transmissions over the radio. Why couldn't they have gone with fully voiced performances at these points? Don't tell me it's because of disc space (just think Oblivion). As far as music goes, it fits the game well. It's mostly silly Muzak type stuff, but I can't think of anything that'd work better.

8. SUMMARY:

Dead Rising 2 represents another step forward for a genre-busting horror franchise that's at once action filled and laid back. It's built upon a foundation that champions inventive combat, humor, exploration, and experimentation. While easy to grasp, the story is engaging and entertaining -it's a tale of a man fighting to save his daughter, the people around him, and his good name. While combat is very similar to that of its predecessor, the new weapons and weapon combo system are enough to keep you busy as you come up with new and crazy ways to take down your enemies. Even though Dead Rising 2 fixes the main problems associated with the first game, such as the flawed save and shooting systems, it introduces a few new flaw of its own, such as lengthy and frequent load times. But this is relatively minor, and, on balance with such excellent gameplay, it can easily be overlooked. All in all, Dead Rising 2 is the product of some of the most creative and talented people in the game making industry, setting the bar even higher for the zombie action genre.

9. WHO SHOULD BUY THIS GAME?

FOR THOSE NEW TO DEAD RISING:

Even if you've never played the first game, and never plan to (for whatever reason), Dead Rising 2 would still be very accessible to you. It is not a direct continuation of the first game's story, taking place 5 years after, with an entirely different character. While there are references to the first game's story, Dead Rising 2 is an adventure in itself. In any event, good summaries of the original Dead Rising can be easily found online. If an action horror survival game that doesn't take itself too seriously sounds like your thing, try this one out.

If you're a big fan of first person shooters, and really like autosave checkpoints, and linear levels, and nothing else, then don't buy this game. It's probably not your thing. On the other hand, you might acquire a taste for it. Give it a rent.

If you don't like bloody games for yourself or perhaps your kids, pass this one up altogether. It's violent, it's gory. Heads, limbs, and torsos fly left and right.

FOR DEAD RISING VETS:

If you played and enjoyed the first game, what are you waiting for? Order this already! You won't be sorry.

If you kind of liked the first game, but didn't like the save system, know that that's been fixed. You now have 3 save slots, and save points are easily found. You should give Dead Rising 2 a shot.

If you didn't like the basic gameplay and concept of the original Dead Rising, then I can almost guarantee you you won't like this game, either. It's very heavily based on its older brother.

If you beat Dead Rising 1 in less than a week, and never played it again, give this one a rent. Even with the online elements, it has a very similar length and replay value as the original. It may not be worth it to you to spend full price on the game.

Thanks for reading!

My Gamertag: Bob Loblaw556

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This was my first foray into Dead Rising. I heard about the premise from a G4 preview and decided it sounded fun. There were some aspects I loved, but even more that I didn't

Good:

Kill zombies at your own pace. If you want to take out an entire crowd, go for it. Just want to get one, that's your choice. You can go as totally berserk as you want

Story-kept me interested and I wanted to keep advancing.

Bad:

Difficult bossesI accidentally walked into a boss fight trying to complete one of my timed missions. I didn't stand a chance in the fight and we both knew it. Bosses are on an entirely different level than zombies, and to simply throw you in the water and watch you sink is just not right. Give me a fair fight before releasing the floods on me!

Time systemGood luck trying to do everything you want to. I'm not opposed to setting some sort of time schedule, but this one was way too tight. There were several activities I wanted to complete, but had to give up many of them. I even ran out of time during the middle of a mission when I was picking up 3 or 4 survivors. What a waste of my time!

SavesApparently this was an improvement over the first game, but there were still not enough of them. I can remember some cases where it would be 15 to 20 minutes before I came across another bathroom to save my game. Hopefully you don't die just trying to find a safe point!

This game had all the promise in the world, but managed to wreck it. That's not to say it isn't any fun, it just falls way short of the mark. At the very least, it is a good way to release some tension by going on a zombie rampage. But that's about it...

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Dead Rising 2, i have to admit, when i heard about it about a year ago i was ecstatic. I Played the first Dead Rising and got the 53, and whatever zombie achievement, I leveled Frank all the way up, etc. etc. In short, it was fun, I found myself killing Zombies just to pass the time. The question was, did they do anything better in Dead Rising 2. 25 achievements, and 3 playthroughs later, i find myself perplexed with the inability to come up with a definite 'yes' or 'no' to that question.

In Dead Rising 2, you Play an Ex motocross Champion Chuck Greene. Chuck was in the Las Vegas Outbreak, and the incident claims his wife and almost claims his child. Since the last Dead Rising, a new drug called "Zombrex" has been invented, it temporarily delays the change into a Zombie by 24 hours. Problem is, Its EXPENSIVE, Chuck has to do some weird crap to make enough money to buy the stuff so his little girl, Katey doesn't try to eat him or the cat at home. Chuck ends up in Fortune City in a game called TIR (Terror Is Reality) to participate in a Zombie killing-fest game to earn cash for Zombrex. During the games, a Zombie outbreak occurs, and Chuck and Katey now have to survive until the military get there, 3 days from now. You have three days, in a Fortune City Casino Strip Mall, Katey Has no Zombrex, and You have been blamed for the outbreak. Chuck's life, Katey's life, and countless others' lives are in your sweaty hands. Think you're up to find the truth? Well, lets find out if you'll even want to first.

What's Good:

Graphics:

Dead Rising 2 isn't the cream of the crop in visuals, but then, most games can't boast hundreds of zombies all moving with no hiccups in framerate. Its impressive, its immersive, the graphics are great really, Capcom really brought fortune city to life, (and ironically death). Zombies are animated wonderfully, and they come apart into pieces even better in this one than the last. Its just fun to kill them because it's so fun to watch them come apart (i note HOLD B broadsword's damage). Though occasionally i had hiccups with explosions while mowing down large crowds of zombies in the 4X4, on foot, never one.

The Story:

DR2 gives you a reason to care, Katey's so darn cute and lovable, plus Chuck himself is generally respectable. He's been wronged and he has to find a way out of this. The story is engaging, and it definitely is not a rehash of the last DR. The story feels unique, and some of the endings, are very powerful. I Strongly recommend beating the game multiple times to see them all. That said its quite bland too, its predictable at times. Still its a good story, and it doesn't really fall into "Dawn of the Dead" kind of stuff.

The Controls:

The biggest Gripe I had on DR1 was Frank Himself, he controlled, in my opinion very awkward, took some getting used to. But chuck is more fluid in his movements. He feels less clunky (and he doesn't look old when he runs). Chuck can aim guns with the left trigger, and drives with the right. Get what i'm saying? The game adopted general standards, it behaves like a racing game in a car or bike, and it behaves like a TPS when you have a gun (LT aim RT fire) Sweet! Now you can just shoot or just drive. All in all, the button mappings and Chuck's movements do what you expect, when you expect them.

Weapons:

DR2 introduces custom weapons, called Combo Weapons. Combo Weapons are weapons made from two different Weapons, such as a Box of Nails and a Baseball Bat. Combine the two in the conveniently placed Maintenance rooms to create a Nail Bat, it does more damage, it gives you PP, and it lasts longer than an ordinary Baseball Bat. Great addition, and some of the combination are zany and just ridiculous. But most of them are very fun.

Multiplayer:

Make money and Kill zombies on a crazy gameshow online with thousands of people over XBL on TIR or simply add a second Chuck to the game you're playing and kick some Zombie butt together. Awesome idea, just really hoped for split screen. oh well.

Zombrex:

The Zombrex finding missions are good, they're a mixed bag because they are a bit tedious, but the game does get you all four you need without you going ballistic, and tells you int he watch menu which missions will give you Zombrex.I Liked Katey's character, and i didn't want her to die, so was glad i didn't have to pull my hair out to find Zombrex.

What i thought needed improvement:

Saving:

DR2 drastically improved saving, now there is a bathroom in every area. But honestly i'd have preferred it a save anywhere system. As is, it is better than fine, but my main qualm is that sense of "i'm Saving Now" there are no Zombies in the bathroom, and there would be the way they have it set up. I'd have preferred it if there was an air-duct in every area going to the safe house in some way to give that "there is one safe place" feel. But its minor at best, the save system is ok, just USE IT for your sake.

Low levels:

This is the biggest problem i have, tight quarters, 4 bars of life, hundreds of Zombies, you're slow as molasses, and zombies like to grab you. You will die, quite a bit in the beginning, its annoying and i got quite angry. But once you get a Speed +, the world is a happy place. Quickstep the drink helps a lot too.

LOADING:

Holy crap, load load load load load load load. Ok you get me, this game loads, a LOT. Its takes up a lot of time and drastically drops immersion factor. Plus the hard drive install, doesn't really help. I mean there are times when it loads the cut scene after a cut scene it just showed. Ugh, i got very impatient waiting so much.

Psychopaths:

The first Psychos in DR1 seemed easier than these guys, these guys are made of steel, are faster than bullets and do ridiculous damage compared to the first one. Holy crap the psychos are hard in DR2, and they just don't have the same feel to the battles as DR1 it was more about just figuring out how to kill them in DR1 not running around and waiting till they get tired and hit them with a shotgun blast that does like a smidge of health damage. Then repeat until dead. I remember in 1, if you had a good weapon you could easily overpower certain psychos, in this one, their psychotic behavior somehow gives them the ability to withstand an atomic bomb. Its ridiculous, and frustrating especially at low levels, btw any one hit kill attacks will not work on psychos, it won't even land. (That's why the charge up sledgehammer move won't hit them if you're wondering.)

Time:

There never seems to be enough, its a constant juggle of do this, do this, get to the safe house then, kill stuff, kill this guy, crap I'm gonna lose this survivor AGGGGH! Yeah, it will give you Grey hairs if you let it overwhelm you. I think they could have removed some urgency and it would have been more fun. More time to kill stuff = good.

All in all though, Dead Rising is more of the same but much better, its more playable, it feels longer, has more replay value, and can let you kill Zombies with friends. it has a few problems but what game doesn't? Its definitely worth at least a play if you like violent games, like zombies, or you like platforming type games, even Shooters. Its worth a rent if you're unsure. If you liked Dead Rising 1, pick it up. If you didn't because of the saving and that kind of thing but thought it was fun, rent this one and try it out. If you loathed DR1, you'll hate this too. Its a lot of fun if you like this sort of stuff, i recommend.

Honest reviews on Dead Rising 2 - Xbox 360

Yes! Dead Rising 2 did not disappoint. I loved DR1 and was a little skeptical about DR2. Gameplay has changed a little but the minor improvements are noticeable better (not great) combat with firearms, survivors/followers do not get stuck, 3 save slots (6 if you have a memory card). I do miss the photography and twin mini-chainsaws (which were a little too powerful in DR1 with the books). But the game is still a ton a fun and I could not stop playing. There are plenty of things to do and try, and you would have to play it more than once to enjoy everything but that's how the game was designed. For someone who has not played DR1, don't compare this with Left for Dead apples and oranges people.

The cut-scenes and voice acting are excellent in a cheesy B-movie sort of way but this is dead rising so it fits. Boss battles can be frustrating but once you figure it out they have just the right difficulty. Story was better in DR1 but that does not take the fun away from the game. The weapons do not last that long but the game wants you to try different weapons/combos just wish there were more inventory slots or a storage system. And some of the combo weapons are too big to carry in your inventory so you have to use them up. BTW, yes you can make the combo weapon without earning the combo card, you just cant use the alternate (heavy) attack mode.

After completing it once, I want more and play through it again to try all the cool combo weapons. Some of them (like the BFG and rocket launcher which you can make late in the game) are just too much fun. It is worth buying due to the replay and coop value. Capcom, DLCs please? soon?

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Dead Rising 2 - Xbox 360

If you've played the first Dead Rising, you'll be grounded with where the sequel will take you. The game play in DR2 isn't much different than it's predecessor. You get timed objectives via radio and have three days to complete your mission before the military arrive.

If you enjoyed the first one, the alikeness is in by no means a bad thing. I loved my zombie holocaustic ways in part one, and the ability to combo weapons, gores things up for a finer, bloodier time. Not to mention the ability to co-op with a buddy, playing as a duplicate Chuck to fend off the daunting undead.

Since the game is played on time-based, eventually you will have to disregard several objectives and/or exploration, but wanting to try to delve everything provides plenty of replay value.

Overall, if you loved the first one, this one is by far, much more zombirific!

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Customer Ratings:

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Star Ocean: The Last Hope International - Playstation 3 Reviews

Customer Ratings:
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Star Ocean has been a long running franchise that many RPG fans appreciate; this being said how is the game overall?

-Xbox360 vs. PS3-

Notable differences on the PS3 version:

+ Do not need to disc swap, since everything is on one disc.

+ Includes Japanese vocals as an option.

+ Able to switch between menu layout Classic (Original JP Menus with the Animated dialog boxes) and the CG (NA/EU version of the menu, which was all done in CG, but lost the Anime feel and the portrait on dialog boxes).

+ Includes additional characters.

-I never played Star Ocean how does this fare with the storyline?-

Star Ocean: The Last Hope (aka Star Ocean 4) Has very minor relevance within the other three Star Ocean games, each game are not direct sequels so each game is independent of each other and you will not be missing anything at all if you haven't played the previous ones.

-How does the battle fare?-

Just like all other Star Ocean, you control the leader of the party and able to set the other 3 on auto while having the ability to switch between each character.

-Difficulty and depth of the game?-

The game itself can be challenging, since some of the bosses are rather difficult, I believe this is a good thing just because a lot of RPGs these day are just dumb downed. The depth of the game is amazing, also unlike other RPGs there are tons of character interactions and details required to achieve specific endings for the game. Yes this RPG requires you to grind a bit for levels and skills, but people tend to complain about this aspect of the game; honestly I think RPG gamers have been spoiled over the years. Back in the days when players spent hours and hours unlocking secret weapons of leveling for boss fights since they were too hard, I find that enjoyable instead speed running through the game not requiring to grind or skills. So if you like a challenging RPG, this would be a good bet (Nothing as challenging as Demon Souls of course).

-Length of game?-

If you try to accomplish all the side quests and not speed through the game. The game itself can easily be 80+ hours long.

-Graphics-

The game is done very well with nice visual background.

-Should I get this or White Knight Chronicles?-

Both game plays completely different, WKC would have a bigger replay value since majority of the game is online based versus SO is strictly offline. Both games are JRPG based, but some would argue that WKC does not have a great storyline and big character roster list, so if you are looking for a decent character roster and a well developed storyline I would go for SO.

-Conclusion-

Overall I would say that SO4 is a great game, just like the other SO games in the series. If you enjoy playing the other SO in the series I am sure you will enjoy this. Unfortunately PS3 does not have big list of RPG titles, but if you enjoy RPGs then this would be the game to buy.

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So this game actually only deserves four stars...but since I know some other moron will post the obligatory "Dis here game iz alredy on teh three-six-zeeero" and give the game a low score I bumped it up to five stars. That should cancel out exactly one dipstick.

On to the game!

Beautiful game. COMES WITH A FREE $(*@)(%! MOVIE!! Holy 'effing mother of Gargonzola the game takes thirty friggen minutes to get going. I know it's supposed to be an epic tale of survival and exploration but I MADE A SANDWICH in the time it took for the game to start. Sure, people joke and say, "...man, I could have gotten up and made a sandwich in that length of time." Yeah, well, not only did I MAKE the sandwich, I ate the damn thing too. Beautiful movie...but when it came time to move my guy around I looked at the controller with slight distrust. "Hmmm..." Lo and behold the damn game was ready for me to play it! Battle tutorial! AWESOME! Ohh...nice and then I can explore the ship and then...AW F$$%! ANOTHER damn cutscene.

When we FINALLY have control for REAL, the camera is fluid, the controls are accurate (except when I "sprint". I don't know who stuck a N0S bottle up the main character's butt to make him zip forward like that but it's slightly retarded. At least make the damn sprint last longer. I have to keep having my guy make grunting noises like he's plowing the remnants of Thanksgiving dinner through his colon. *sigh*

Combat is very nifty. Again, nothing groundbreaking but this is an RPG for frick's sake, what did you expect? There's a little battle bonus board that you can add to by meeting special conditions in battle. A bonus battle feature where you can sneak around behind the enemy...the name of which escapes me at the moment. DIFFICULTY SETTINGS!!! Very very cool. It's one thing to have a difficult RPG...it's another to have to get your guys to level 27 before you can fight the first boss. The Japanese are all sadistic, I think. You get used to whacking all this little stuff and THEN comes captain octopus that absolutely spanks your monkey until bananas come out of your ears. So frustrating...and this game avoids those frustrations with an easy button.

The voices...ugh. The obligatory cute asian-looking girl with perky...er...attitudes and tight pants is entertaining for the first five minutes. Then you want to go and grab that stick with a hand on it from the concorde grape-jelly character who runs the item making machine and strangle her with it. The main character dude says the same...damn...thing...every...friggen...battle. You can switch them over to the Japanese voices and laugh at them for awhile...but then it starts to feel like you're in an airport and you've gotta switch back.

Menu can be changed from modern to classic. Modern being what I have heard was available on the 360 and classic being a bright anime/cartooney style. I prefer the anime style personally.

In the end, if you didn't try this on the 360 then I say give it a go. I LOVE RPGs and this one has already provided me with hours of pleasure. Seriously, don't be afraid to buy the game. It's pretty damn good.

Best Deals for Star Ocean: The Last Hope International - Playstation 3

I had never played the original Star Ocean game so I cannot judge based on that issue. However being an Old Guy (53) my desires are different than the younger generation. This is pretty good actually. I like games that make me want to move forward. Find out what is around the next corner. Hot babes maybe, who knows. I rated this a 4 for being fun and 4 overall. I like the interface, (buttons). and the fact it lets you pause in the middle of being destroyed to change your tactics at certain parts of the battle where I DIE!! because some enormous monster destroyed my party and had a good lunch. I like the mapping system to a certain degree. It has repetitive ending battle cut scenes however with these it lets you know how you did during the battle, gives me some numbers. There are lots of fun little things to do on the ship you fly between planets with. Sleep, make meals, etc. (Other than that folks if you like RPG's I don't think you will be disappointed at all. I recommend you buy the strategy guide. STAR OCEAN THE LAST HOPE: INTERNATIONAL Signature Series Strategy Guide (Bradygames Signature Series Guides) Your going to need it to help you plot and plan your strategy throughout the game. For me anyhow the game is worth buying new.

Honest reviews on Star Ocean: The Last Hope International - Playstation 3

...I'm forced to average the two. I commiserate with another reviewer about the "This was on the X-Box, so it's worse here by definition!" reviews, but I can't co-sign on grade inflation.

And honestly, while this game has a lot going for it, its flaws can be severe. The average player probably wouldn't notice (i.e. the one that plays the game one time through), but I would guess that most people buying this game are hardcore (and the developers believe the same look at all of the postgame extras, and the ridiculous PSN trophies associated to the game).

So anyway:

The Good:

I really like the battle system in this game. There is one major flaw (targetting), but all in all, I've enjoyed fighting (which is good for a game of this length). The "blindside" and "rush combo" systems are magnificent, IMHO. The characters clearly have different personalities on the battle field (including the fighters Faize's rapier combos act much different than Edge's, e.g.).

The story. While the cutscenes are a major pain (they are too long, and poorly written), I'm a sucker for a space exploration story. No, this isn't "Mass Effect 2," but I think the plot synthesizes much of what is good about various Japanese sci-fi animes (ridiculous science, absurd character interactions, a universe-threatening enemy, etc.)

The extras. Tri-Ace has ALWAYS given the player more for completing a game, and this is no different. A huge battle arena, two long and rewarding post-game dungeons, billions of battle trophies to test your skills and patience (OK there are only 900, but it will feel like billions by the end). SO:TLH delivers. However, there is one major flaw here, as I will state below.

The Bad:

-Battle targeting is atrocious. The computer NEVER fixes on the proper target; your character will often run the length of the battlefield to attack another enemy, instead of the one in front of him. In order to change targeting, you have to use the start button (who in the world thought of that?)...but this is a pain in the heat of battle against an enemy such as, say, Kokubei (who has about 10 other small enemies constantly circling her). Ugh.

Where are the save points? It takes FOREVER to get to one! I've heard that autosaving doesn't work in JRPGs (with citations of other 360 RPGs as evidence). I don't buy it. There HAS to be something better, and if we ARE fixing ourselves to this archaic system, at LEAST make it reasonable. At time, you will find yourself going an hour or more between save points in dungeons. At the end of the game, adding together the cutscene time, the credit time, and the battles, it took over 2 hours before I could save my game! That's ridiculous.

Also, when you finally do save, the game asks you, "Do you want to keep saving?" The default answer is "YES" the first time this question is asked. What the heck? I guess even the game realizes that saving is a luxury that you never want to end. :-P

While battle trophies carry over to different playthroughs, battle trophy progress does not. What are you thinking, Tri-Ace? So, if I kill 29,999 enemies with Edge in one playthrough, and don't get the trophy, I STILL have to kill 30000 in the next playthrough. All I can say is, if you care about these things, keep your old save files intact.

The cutscenes. They are WAAAAAY too long. Now, I'm not a fan of cutscenes in general, but when the writing is as bad as it is for these, it's particularly atrocious. In fact, I would suggest just skipping them entirely (the game is nice enough to provide you a synopsis of any scene you skip, and the synopsis is both short AND well-written).

The unforgivable:

Missable trophies. OK I can accept that some games should have PSN trophies that require work. But this is ridiculous. For example, there is one trophy for completing all the quests in the game (and there are hundreds, plural, by the way). The catch? Near the beginning of the game, some quests simply...disappear. Forever. There is nothing telling you that this might happen, but it can. Later on, other quests disappear. Forever. So, what do you do? YOU HAVE TO PLAY THE ENTIRE GAME AGAIN. Clearly, this is implemented solely to sell strategy guides. There are other egregious examples (what, I can't make every item in the game because one of my party members left permanently?), but you get the point. Everything about the trophies is meant to anger you. I kid thee not.

Anyway, there you have it. If you are going to play through once, I would rate this from 4 to 5 stars. It's pretty fun. But if you are like so many others that requires that platinum trophy, expect lots and lots of frustration. Happy gaming!

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Where to begin? Ahh, I know, the one thing that will immediately turn off gamers! Before you get into this game, be advised that it IS a JRPG and the acting follows that of the typical japanese anime dub over by american actors who just don't cut it. There is however the option to turn on the original japanese dialog track, which may be easier on the ears. I love JRPGs and crappy anime acting (why I don't know) so it doesn't bother me one bit, but sometimes it can take away from the serious overtones the game should have.

That aside, be prepared for a HUGE world. Be prepared to run back and fourth between towns on different planets and be prepared to use the square (dash) button a LOT. The atmosphere that Star Ocean has created is immensively huge, and sometimes it feels as though things are lacking. Don't get me wrong, it is an absolutely beautiful game and looking around will keep you more than entertained while you explore. You can also encounter enemies, harvest materials and mine for materials on the "world map", if that's what you want to call it.

Sprawled throughout the game are specific quests that you will come across, as well as the main story line. The quests are NPC specific and require you to talk to specific NPCs at certain times in the game to get the quests. They are usually simple in nature and are similar to quests in an MMORPG (gather materials, get items from enemies etc). The most rewarding benefit of these quests are the skill points you will aquire, which allow you to level up certain skill sets each character has.

The main story line I will let the amazon description fill you in on, but alas it's alright. I'm not rivited by the story or sucked into the game because of it. All in all the atmosphere and the fun level of gameplay keep me entertained and the story is an added bonus. It's not to say it's a bad story, it's just lacking any real oomph. However, there are aspects of it that are excellently presented that make you wonder if at some point the remainder will be just as good as the scene you just witnessed.

To put things into perspective, I am aiming for getting everything in the game, I am 68 hours into it and only a third of the way through. Probably about half of those hours were spent traveling between places to complete quests. There is no easy warp option, it's you against the world.

Modsticks Pro Xbox 360 Controller Analog Sticks (Black) Reviews

Customer Ratings:

I purchased this item as an alternative to the FPS Freek. I recommend watching the YouTube instructional video on how to install. After watching it, I had no problem installing the sticks and Dpad. The instructions included with the item leave much to be desired. But the video makes up for it.

Ok, short and sweet.

Good

easy to install (took me 10 minutes)

the stick height is adjustable

they are made of metal

the Dpad joystick is an excellent idea, and seems like it would be perfect for fighters

the taller stick provides improved accuracy just like the FPS Freek

My game of choice is Battlefield Bad Company 2; a game with touchy aiming. It took me a few matches, but as soon as I got used to the increased stick height, I did notice I was pulling off some very good shots with ease. Also, as advertised, the Dpad joystick makes it super easy to access the grenade launcher (left on Dpad) and ammo pack (right on Dpad).

Bad (not stuff that should keep you from buying the product but, stuff worth noting)

the sticks are made of metal which is great, but the lack of a rubber grip means your thumbs will slide a little more

I noticed my thumb was running into the Dpad joystick when going for the select button (something I see myself getting used to though)

the instruction sheet included is kind of a joke (just watch the video)

Overall

I recommend these. I plan on buying some rubber grips to put on thumbsticks. Once I do that, I think they'll be perfect. Also worth noting is I had the left stick raised to it's maximum height, and I found it a little harder than normal to press down on the left stick to sprint while pushing forward on the stick to run forward. However, I lowered the left stick to the medium height and that fixed the problem. So, all that really only show is one of the great things about this: it's customizable. I have the left stick on medium, and the right stick on long. Also, if I got tired of my thumb hitting the Dpad joystick when I go for the select button, then I could just remove the joystick and make it a normal Dpad.

So, buy these. I was kind of wary of the FPS Freek product because of customers reporting that they ruin the rubber on their thumbsticks. I really can't give a comparison beyond that because I've never used them. All I can really do is comment on the quality of this product. For the shooter fan(or fighter fan who doesn't have enough dough for a good gamepad) who is looking to get the edge, this really is a must buy.

UPDATE:

So, I've had these for about two weeks now. I love the Dpad toggle stick. I have both sticks raised to their maximum height (blue and black spacers). And I went ahead and purchased the fusion and domed grips from the modsticks website.

Don't buy the domed grips, the fusion grips are the superior. Way better than the stock grip too. In fact, I think the manufacturer should just scrap the stock grips and make the fusion grips come standard with purchase. I find that my thumbs no longer slip while using this product with the fusion grips.

Another thing I'd like to comment on is how smooth these sticks are.

EXAMPLE:

I play Pinball FX 2 on XBLA. This game has an adjustable ball launch for each table. You adjust the power of the launch the right thumbstick. These sticks allow more precision than the stock thumbstick. With the stock thumbsticks, I found it difficult to adjust the power to a precise level. With this product, I have very little problem adusting the power to what I want. It's just smoother. I'm sure people who play that game know exactly what I'm talking about. It's kind of hard to explain.

Great product.

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Have not used any modded joysticks for my xbox(prior to this), and consider myself a long time gamer (started with pong), favorites are FPS and fighting games. I am now kicking myself for having not done this before, the difference after installing this product is like night and day. Have been able to turn my sensitivity to max, and still maintain great control. Have begun going back through older FPS solo missions, is like having some sort of cheat mode turned on. I tend to stay away from writing reviews, however this product deserves a great one.

Best Deals for Modsticks Pro Xbox 360 Controller Analog Sticks (Black)

I ordered both the Modsticks Analog Stick and Trigger package directly from the manufacturer due to the fact that Amazons price was almost double on these items.

Joysticks/D pad package:

Pros:

-adjustable height (using the highest setting was my preference because it yielded more accurate/precise control)

-interchangeable grips (spend the extra 10$ and get the fusion grips. they're way better than the stock ones)

-quality (all parts are made of metal. No cheap plasticy garbage)

-custom look (nuff said)

-stick mounted to D pad (I was skeptical about this one but I was amazed at how much it improves the stock D pad)

Cons:

-stock grips (As I mentioned earlier, the fusion grips are way better. The one negative review on this product is solely because of this)

-price (but the quality is definitely there to back it up)

Trigger package:

Pros:

-adjustable tension (came with three different sets of springs as well as a set screw adjustment)

-quality (aluminum goodness)

-custom look (double nuff said)

Cons:

-modsticks engineered these to tighter tolerances than necessary (the wider trigger is nice but they didnt move freely when I installed them on my 360 wired

controller)

-noisy (they squeak like the dickens)

-lightest spring tension isn't viable because the triggers bind up

-installation was more difficult than installing the joysticks and D pad (still not to bad)

-price

Closing thoughts:

I would wholeheartedly recommend the joysticks package (with the fusion grip) and do plan to purchase another set of these for my other controller. They are just plain flat out better than the stock sticks, hands down. I've seen noticeable improvement in my online performance in MW3, Forza 4, Battlefield 3. The triggers I am not sold on yet but perhaps after I break them in this may change. I like the company and the idea behind the products and am anxious to see what they come up with next. (Aluminum ABXY, start back LB RB and XBox button please :)

Credibility:

20 years gaming experience, avid tinkerer, no affiliation with modsticks, and I own a Phillips CDI

Honest reviews on Modsticks Pro Xbox 360 Controller Analog Sticks (Black)

First of all, I like convex analog sticks like the PS3 dualshock controllers have.

Secondly, I always hated the mushy D-Pad on the 360 controller.

The Modsticks Pro are the solution.

I have tried different solutions & controlers to combat these problems without satisfactory results until I purchased Modsticks Pro.

I did have to order the convex or "Dome", as they call them, sticks seperate & wish there was an option to buy a kit with the kind of stick top shape you want. They come with concave/ "Dish" stick tops by default. They have other kinds as well & it's really personal preferance.

I've been using them close to a year & I feel like I have a real D-Pad now & I enjoy the convex feel of the sticks. I did do the pringles lid circle cut out trick when I installed the Modsticks Pro d-pad. I don't use the d-pad stick, I just like the feel of the d-pad.

The drawbacks are that they are pricey plus I had to buy add ons to get the dome analog tops.

Sometimes my hands sweat & my thumbs can slip off the sticks. This may not be a problem with the dish tops IDK, haven't used them.

I think the caps could be improved by making them thinker around the edges. When I have my thumb pressing up on the left stick of a 360 controller running around in game, my thumb always ends up on the bottom edge of the stick. It seems to me it would be a bit more comfortable if the cap was thicker having something more there instead of an edge. I know they have silicon grips now on the website but those prices add up.

That said, I will be buying more of these for other 360 controllers & will probably try the silicon grips as well for my sweaty thumbs :) .

The very best solution for your 360 analog & d-pad dissatisfaction.

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MannyRue's Just Review's

Review From A Gamer For Gamers

Today I Review the Overshadowed ModStickpros,Are these the holy grails of gaming?,Or are they just a new product to suck more money out of your already expensive gaming needs?Keep reading to find out.

In this day of age most people seek out new way's for a quick advantage in the world of gaming,be it a rapid fire controller,mod's,to even using piece's of paper to make a hair trigger.

Well today I will introduce you to a revolutionary new product from modsticks.com

These new variants on the standard thumb-stick's breath new life into the market of mods.

Each set includes:

Qt 2. Aluminum Dome Base

Qt 2. Aluminum dish top grips

QT 1. Modsticks Pro D-Pad

Qt 1. Optional D-Pad stick (can also be used on Modstick dome base)

Qt 1. Modsticks T8 Security wrench

Qt 1. Philips tip screw driver for D-Pad

Qt 1. Allen key for changing screw driver tips.

Qt 6. Steel threaded set screws 3 short 3 long for assembling toggle grip tops to base.

Qt 6. Aluminum spacers 1mm 2mm 3mm Fine tune the height of your toggle sticks

Qt 2. Steel Philips machine screws for D padWhat you have to look forward to in the packaging

Perhaps the best feature of the ModSticksPro is the added range to the stick's with out having to always change your game's sensitivity,the stock xbox 360 sticks bases are much thicker and have a certain range till they hit the side walls,the modstickpros bases are much thinner and give you a slight advantage of free roam in the base,this I have found best work's wonder's in fps game's where sniping is the key to life or death.

I did not have to change the game's settings much to adjust to the stick's for the easy quick movement of my rec-tile on screen.

Also the next best feature is the option to change the height of the analog stick to different levels.

This I have found to be a nice add-on for people that like different game's you can easily switch them out for racing game's/sports games/or back to fps game's with out missing a beat.

Included in the set are three different levels of internal set screws which can be changed out to swap the height to something you prefer. included in the package are spacers to keep the base and the top from unscrewing themselves in the heat of the moment game play. Now with the grip's modsticks has also looked ahead and saw that people might prefer different variants over the original xbox 360.

They have at the moment have Six grip's to choose from Dish/Fusion/Gearz/Dome/Low-riders/Arcade

The dish grips are what come standard in each set of the modstickpros and these will be the most familiar to anyone that owns a xbox 360 controller,these little beauty's are well made with aluminum and a very high quality paint that has a nice finish and shine to them,Now I have been asked since they are made of metal if they do hurt after a bit of game play,and I am here to say I have put easily over 30 hour's so far in on them and have yet to come close to crying about cramps in my hands or the such.

The only fault's I can seem to find with these being made of Aluminum is that I tend to sweat while I game and my hand's slide some what off of them,I suggest investing in some cheap rubber grip's to slide over the top to fix that little annoyance.Easy on the eyes and also a great feeling to them

Sadly I have not had enough time in to review each grip so will do that at a later time.

For the people that do not want to shell out the money for a new controller for the reason the original xbox 360 d-pad had a lot to be desired are in luck,included in the package is also a d-pad that has a option to add a base in the center of it and add in it's own stick to almost make a whole new thumb-stick on the controller.

The d-pad is like a gift from above for people that tend to play game's such as Call Of Duty or Gears Of War that are dependent on the d-pad to ether call in that care package you worked so hard to earn or to swap out weapons in the heat of battle.

But with a plus there is always a negative tho,I have found myself at time's rolling my thumb off my left thumb-stick accidentally onto the stick on the d-pad,It can be over commed in time and getting use to them.D-pad is like the stock but has the option for a third thumb-stick

Also if you are anal like me about how your controller look's and want a certain color scheme the site also is nice and has a nice selection of color's so your option's are vast to choose from.

The packaging they do come in has to be overhauled they are generic and do not have the name of the product's listed on them,the manuals that come with them as well are not very well written or displayed so I suggest if you are a novice to modding I would suggest looking on YouTube for tutorials how to install.

Verdict:

After many hour's of game play on various game's I would suggest these over the stock xbox 360 controller's stick's,they add a new fresh breath of fresh air into that old wore down controller you might have laying around.

If you are looking for a slight advantage over the competition I would suggest investing in these new products.

The packaging need's a overhaul and less of a generic look to them.

The price point is also another down fall with the modstickpros being at $34.99 but like the old saying goes you get what you pay for.