Ever since the mid-90s, the Worms franchise has been charming hardcore and casual fans alike. Its competitive style suffused with its off-the-wall, cutesy humor is a combination that resonates well with people, and it’s easy to see why. It’s an extremely accessible series, and that is not something many turn-based games can claim to be. Not a lot has changed with the series over the years, but Worms has established a formula that is best left untouched. Worms: Reloaded, the latest in the series, brings a couple of original things to the table, but it is in just about every way the same game fans know and love. It isn’t perfect, or even the best Worms title, but it is still an excellent point in an already excellent franchise. Read More →

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When Metroid: Other M was announced two years ago at E3, it sparked quite a bit of controversy by focusing more on story and giving Samus a voice, the first of Nintendo’s usually mute heroes. After a few years of letting Retro Studios command the series with the critically acclaimed Metroid Prime trilogy, series creator Yoshio Sakamoto has taken back control to produce an old-school style Metroid for a new generation of fans. Read More →

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Ever since I’ve began reviewing video games, part of me has wondered if many journalists and bloggers have a policy of “give the score, don’t look back, and don’t dwell” about the entire proceeding. However, I’m not really the type of writer who really has that ability, mostly due to the fact that I still play many of the games that I review, and even if I don’t play them, I still think about the experience in comparison to other titles that I come across. So, since I don’t have a game in front of me this week for the Thursday Review Revue, I figured I’d do something a little bit different. I decided that I would review my review, so to speak, and retread the familiar territories of a few games that I’ve touched on. Read More →

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We had the first glimpse of the multiplayer of new Call Of Duty title, Black Ops, last month.

This time, we’ve got all the news from the full reveal event, including some impressive new games modes and other neat additions. You’d be surprised how far Treyarch are pushing the boat here. Without further ado…

For the first time in Call Of Duty, you can now customise your character on a whole new level. On the create-a-class screen, you’ll be able to select an outfit relevant to your class. Not only this, but there’ll be gun customisation like you haven’t seen before. Aside from the obvious sight selection – scopes, red dots etc. – you can now create a camouflage for your weapon, complete with emblems. Emblems that you can fix up and edit yourself. That’s right – your own unique gun. Your old trusty is going to become a hell of a lot more personal, with the ability to add clan tags, names and lots more on your barrel.

If you’re one of the 30% (Treyarch figures) of Call Of Duty players who doesn’t venture online, then you’re catered for aside from the single player mode. You’ll now be able to play multiplayer against AI bots in a standalone mode, inventively named Combat Training. It’ll still feature all of the maps and modes of the real multiplayer, but with separate progression. Think of it as a practice centre. Or maybe just an ‘avoid screaming kids’ centre. Read More →

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Sonic X-treme

Sonic X-treme is one of the more well-known shelved titles. There are plenty of screenshots and game play videos to be found on the internet, which makes its lack of release even more of a tease. The 32X/CD/Saturn era of Sega is ripe with stories of in-companyconflicts, unreleased titles, and barely-advertised products, but the Sonic X-treme debacle is one of the most widely discussed. The staff working on the game kept losing members, and Sega began losing faith in the title as time went on. Because of this, some stuff working on the project were moved to other projects. Chris Senn, co-lead developer, began to grow extremely ill as he took on the responsibilities of the growing list of cut staff members. It got to the point where a nurse informed him that he thought he only had six months to live.

The title went through a couple of different forms, but the most interesting one had a fish eye camera view that created a spherical look somewhat akin to the Mario Galaxy games. It may not have been enough to save the ill-fated Sega Saturn system, but it had the potential to become a great entry in the Sonic franchise. Read More →

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For those of you who purchased Crackdown 2, and are eagerly anticipating the DLC that had already been promised, the wait is almost over for you. On September 2nd, Xbox 360 gamers will be treated with two packs of DLC for the Ruffian Games’ outing. The first piece of DLC is free, and includes the “Keys to the City” mode (which unlocks a plethora of cheats, allowing you to romp around the city with no restrictions), the “Thruster” ability, and a new multiplayer mode entitled ”Vehicle Tag.” However, if you’d like the second pack of DLC as well, you can use 560 Microsoft Points ($7 American) and pick up the enhanced version of the package, which includes five new weapons, two new vehicles, avatar items, and ten additional achievements. Read More →

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Although I have not played every system in existence, I firmly believe that there is something, or at least one game, that adds some type of merit to each and every one. The Sega CD had Snatcher, the 32X had Kolibri, and the Virtual Boy had Jack Bros. While most people immediately think of Wario Land when attempting to think of anything positive about the Virtual Boy, Jack Bros. is arguably the best game on the system. Wario Land is a fine game, and one I played obsessively as a child, but Jack Bros. has so much more character to it. If there was any game on the Virtual Boy worth impairing your sight over, Jack Bros. was probably it. Read More →

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