Hyrule Warriors Review

"This title features a heavy emphasis on Zelda elements, while retaining the solid, plain old fun hack and slash gameplay of Dynasty Warriors. While the basic story isn't exactly tear-jerking, with no heavy emphasis placed on it, and no hype for it to live up to, it's a feature that can be overlooked."

On September 26th, Nintendo released the heavily promoted Hyrule Warriors, A new Zelda title with Dynasty Warriors gameplay, to the Wii U. Will the game live up to the hype that's surrounded it? Find out below.

The game centers around mission based gameplay, where the character you play as (Main characters of the Zelda series, including, Zelda herself, Link, Impa, Sheik, Minda, and an array of other characters with widely different play styles, allowing for a completely different experience each time you replay a level) completes multiple objectives with a varying time limit always looming over you. Each mission features different exciting missions, with the core of each level, to capture points and rage through huge amounts of enemies always staying the same.

The game also features a basic plot around saving a lost Zelda, which in turn you know, prompts end of the world saving stuff too. The plot then leads you to different land mark areas featured in the series, including Sky Loft from Skyward Sword, and prominent scenes from Twilight Princess and Ocarina of Time. While the plot isn't exactly enthralling and isn't up to the standards of other Zelda entries it suffices well enough for this side entry that has a heavy focus on gameplay rather than story.

The first few hours on spent on the game are filled with unlockables, with rupees constantly flying everywhere. This really allows for a sense of accomplishment after completing each mission, which can counteract some of the mission objectives that can tend to slog on at certain points. Another low point of this game is the fact that while you're fighting with an entire army, you're also required to complete virtually each objective alone. This element of gameplay can at certain points require you to be multiple places at once, which can greatly ramp of the difficulty level of certain missions, and have you replaying the same level objective over and over.

This title features a heavy emphasis on Zelda elements, while retaining the solid, plain old fun hack and slash gameplay of Dynasty Warriors. While the basic story isn't exactly tear-jerking, with no heavy emphasis placed on it, and no hype for it to live up to, it's a feature that can be overlooked. The game features a bazaar which allows you to work with collected materials, potions, and an array of other elements that can spice up gameplay. I've already had a ton of fun, and I expect hours more out of this title, which does feature a huge amount of play time.

What did you think of the title? Tell me down below, and I'll see you next time!

Mario Kart 8- Wii U Review

On Friday, the 30th of May, Nintendo released the newest entry into their flagship series, Mario Kart, on the Wii U. How does the newest installment stack up to previous titles? Find out below.

Mario Kart 8 follows the tried and true formula the series has followed from its origins on the SNES, which entails the introducing a few new elements item, kart, and character wise, introducing many new and retaining old tracks from previous entries, and an addition to the racing formula to keep the series fresh. While the bulk of the actual racing formula doesn't stray from the well known of previous entries, the new element added in this installment is anti-gravity. The anti-gravity portion of Mario Kart 8 allows for 90°, upside down, and other impossible portions of new and old tracks to be navigated with ease, which makes for new exciting twists in an array of different tracks. While the anti-gravity element is interesting, and can change certain tracks' whole dynamics, overall it doesn't impact gameplay as heavily as previous titles' changes have in the past, such as introducing gliders, underwater tracks, and 2 racers to a kart.

Apart from the new racing element introduced in new Mario Kart entries, a highly anticipated feature of new installments is the character roster. However, while 8 features 30 characters (an overall rise of 4 from Mario Kart Wii), a large portion of these 30 consist of each and every Koopaling. While featuring the Koopalings is a bonus for fans of the 7 member clan, they and 2 metal versions of regular characters are the bulk of newly introduced characters, and many newcomers from the Wii and 3DS Mario Kart installments were left out of this game, making for an overall less diverse cast of characters. However, with the array of new tracks and items present in Mario Kart 8, character diversity is made up for.. for the most part.

Overall, I really enjoyed Mario Kart 8. With new racing elements, new tracks, new sharing features, and more reliable online play, Mario Kart 8 really does mark a high for the series, and really could become a system seller for the struggling Wii U.

What did you think of the new Mario Kart 8? Do you have a Wii U, or will this convince you to pick up one of your own? Post in the comments below, and I'll see you in the next review!

The Walking Dead Game: Season 2 Episode 3 Review

On the 13th of May. the third installment of the second season of Telltale's critically acclaimed Walking Dead series was released in the US. How does it compare to previous installments? Find out below.

In the previous episode, it seemed as if most choices left you, not really in control, as playing it twice and picking different answers mainly left you in the same place as before. However, in this installment of the season, there was a large amount of choices, that seem to leave you more in a lot more control of what happens.

MINOR SPOILERS FROM PREVIOUS EPISODES BELOW

When Clementine and the rest of the group were captured in the last episode, I wasn't sure what was going to happen. However, very shortly into this episode, I realized this was even worse than I thought, and that the group had to get out as soon as possible. This entire mood added a huge level of suspense over the entire episode, keeping me on the edge of my... beanbag chair... the entire episode. The tension only built through out the level, peaking multiple times through out the level.

Clementine also seems to develop this episode, as she grows even harder as she realizes just how much evil there is in this world. The episode contained a multitude of tough choices through out, and with many, I had to make sacrifices to my character, lie, and make friends with people I hate (Bonnie anyone?) just to survive. Through out a large portion of this episode, I was sitting there in awe that Clementine was able to keep so calm all the time. I'd basically be totally insane at this point.

Every time there was a serious choice to make (don't worry, there's a plethora of them!), I was constantly wondering, "What will this result in?", and "Is this right?" and for the first time out of both season, I chose silence as an answer, a few times too. Like, Clementine is basically four, why is she constantly making life altering decisions for a group of adults?

Overall, this episode definitely packed a punch. With many edge of the seat moments, plenty of gasps from yours truly, sights I'll never unsee, let alone Clementine, and overall an aura of oncoming danger, This is by far the best episode of this season. What did you all think of the episode? Post your thoughts in the comments below, and I'll see you next time!

Infamous: Second Son Review (PS4)

On the 21st of March, Sony Computer Entertainment of America released its newest flagship title, Infamous: Second Son, to the Playstation 4. How does the newest installment into the long running Infamous series stack up to its 2 Playstation 3 predecessors? Will it be able to achieve the same commercial and critical success as its predecessors? Find out below.

The first thing that I noticed about this game was its graphics. While a few of the next gen games that have been released contained quality graphics, I've seen none like these. While watching cutscenes, the difference between these and an actual movie are barely visible, and actual gameplay is no different. The vibrant, neon signs that dot the city of Seattle, where the game takes place, give off the appearance of a real city, and each and every face you pass has a tremendous amount of detail, sometimes even looking more realistic than our main character Delsin, whose beanie alone contains 7,500 polygons. Literally, that's like more detail than in my entire life.

Speaking of, our hero (or villan, depending on how you play the game) Delsin is an intricately weaved character, and rather than Infamous's previous hero Cole, otherwise known as Mr. Personality, has charm, tons of humor, and, a personality, and doesn't give off the cold vibe we got from Cole in both previous installments, a nice change for the series. Delsin has an affinity for art, namely, graffiti, often using it as a symbol of rebellion against the D.U.P., the main enemy of the game, an organization attempting to contain all known conduits, including Delsin. Delsin's cocky, brave attitude often leads to harmless skirmishes with his brother Reggie, a police officer who accompanies Delsin on his journey to combat the D.U.P., which adds a fun, light side to the narrative. Once again, something we missed in Infamous 1 and 2.

The plot of this game is similar to past iterations of the series, our main character, a conduit, up against a large army set on taking him out at all costs, even if it means wreaking havoc upon the town they're meant to protect. While we arrived at the main plot point in a different way than other installments in the series, the overall story of the game starts out in a very familiar fashion. However, as Delsin continues to explore Seattle, the main setting of Second Son, the story starts to unravel, showing us rich detail, and an intricate story that while, is solid, is just, good, and isn't the main selling point of the game. However, the gameplay, is something worth looking into.

Second Son features gameplay similar to that of 1 and 2, at least, control wise. However, as opposed to the electricity powers our previous hero Cole controlled, Delsin controls fire and smoke, however, many of the attacks are incredibly similar, and the smoke almost acts as just a skin change, with the usage and effects of the attacks being overall very similar. Delsin also shares another similarity with Cole power-wise, being that Delsin must find smoke sources and recharge his powers in a manner similar to Cole. However, while Cole's recharge stations were readily available in numerous places around the city, Delsin's are sparsely found throughout the city, however, each one restores his entire power bar, rather than finding multiple sources to recharge only parts of the bar.

Another difference between gameplay of the titles are the new powers Delsin is able to obtain. Without spoiling the story, Delsin is able to acquire neon and video powers, which, while sound, strange to say the least, are very formidable, and add an new level of diversity and well, fun, to the tried and true gameplay.

And as always, choices that effect how the town looks upon you return once again, with even small details such as how you attack your opponents can change how the town looks upon you in the blink of an eye.

Another thing about this game that attracted me was its attention to detail. While in the previous installments the militia would fire upon you at first sight, in Second Son, if you act like a normal person, you can easily slip through the crowd undetected, adding a more realistic, lifelike element to the narrative. Other small details like that are found throughout the game, making for a more immersive, lifelike experience.

Overall, I really enjoyed this title. The stellar gameplay is similar, and familiar enough to earlier installments of the series to catch onto easily, but also provides a new, fun, take on the formula. Featuring a solid, yet definitely not perfect narrative, diverse, unique, and intricate characters, great gameplay, and an overall charm present though out the game, this is a title I definitely suggest everyone to take a look at. What did you think of the game? Make sure to tell me below, and I'll see you guys next time!

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review

On Friday,  February 21st, Nintendo released Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, the follow up to the 2010 hit Donkey Kong Country Returns. How will the new Wii U title stack up against its predecessor? Find out below.

Tropical Freeze already has a few advantages over Returns right off the bat, the first, being that this is DK's first adventure in full HD, which Retro, the game's studio, takes advantage of, giving the game vibrant, detail rich environments. While this doesn't add anything to the gameplay aspect of this title, it does enrich anyone who happens to be watching the game's experience, which, with Nintendo games, seems to happen more often than not. The stunning environment allows Retro to show off some of the improved landscapes with wide, panoramic camera views as you traverse levels with barrels, mine-carts, and other unique means of transportation. The second advantage DKC TF has is rather than player 2's only available character option being Diddy, you also get a choice of Dixie and Cranky Kong to assist Donkey, with all 3 having their own unique powers. Along with that, after building up a meter though collecting bananas, Donkey and his partner are able to perform a move that clears all enemy on the screen, and depending on which character you have, turns all the defeated enemies into golden hearts, coins,  or other items to help DK on his quest.

For extra topics I didn't cover in the written review, or if you hate reading check out the video review! :)

While the choice between characters is great, one problem with the entire system is, player one. In the newest installment of Nintendo's flagship series, Super Mario, Super Mario 3D World, the game has 4 possible players to choose from, and you don't have to be the game's star Mario, at all, and can instead opt to be Luigi, Peach, or Toad. However, in the case of DKC TP, that option isn't available, and player one is forced to play the game's titular character. While this would be ok, the fact is DK doesn't have any special abilities of his own and, sadly, falls short of the other characters.

Another complaint is with the use of the gamepad. Considering the fact that the Wii U is a slowly failing system, you'd think Nintendo would attempt to showcase the gamepad as much as possible in a blockbuster game like DKC TP. However, the gamepad is barely used at all, with its only feature being off-tv play.

So, while the game does have its downfalls, it's able to really shine in its gameplay.

While the game only features 6 worlds (opposed to Nintendo's usual 8), it makes up for it with each level being diverse and different from the last. The game features returning elements from previous installments in the long running series, including mine-cart levels, our favorite rhino, Rambi, and secret levels through out all 6 worlds. All 3 of DK's pals offer a unique ability that allows DK to get small secrets buried in each level, such as the 9 puzzle pieces to collect in every level. Overall,  the gameplay is fun, fresh, and yet, is still true to older installments in the series, which, to gamers who've been there since the SNES, is great to experience. With plenty of secrets tucked away in every nook of the game, it has a ton of replayability,  and I recommend any platformer fan to pick it up today!

Do any of you have the new title? What do you think of it? Tell me in the comments below, and I'll see you in the next review!