Reviews by ToboZak

Assassin's Creed (Xbox 360) review

Assassin's Creed was one of the first games I bought for the X360, and I have to say that I was initially blown away by it. The free-running system completely revolutionised 3rd person action games and is now used in more recent titles such as Infamous or Uncharted 2. The combat system was also very refreshing and stylish, and finally, I was amazed at what a difference it made to play games in HD! Once the dust had settled after my initial excitement though, I found Assassin's Creed to be a fairly limited game. The combat is stylish but very simplistic, the cities are beautiful and buzzing, but there is virtually no interaction with the characters that populate them apart from a few repetitive side-quests. Even the story missions in the game are all fairly similar. Finally, the story is nothing to shout about, relying mainly on conspiracy theory mumbo-jumbo with hints of Dan Brown. Not going to say too much about the ending, other than that it's extremely unsatisfying. That being said, I won't forget the impression that the game initially made on me, as it certainly hinted at the new gen consoles' capabilities. Now in 2009 though, I think the game looks and feels fairly bland, and plenty of other games are now about that offer a similar feeling of freedom and stylishness. Among them is the sequel...

Assassin's Creed II (Xbox 360) review

After the utterly anti-climactic ending in the original Assassin's Creed, I was dubious, yet also curious about the sequel. It's only after hearing that this was a massive improvement over the original that I decided to give it a go...and for the most part it's great! In this sequel, you take control of Ezio, an Assassin roaming Rennaisance Italy seeking to avenge his family. Graphically, the game is gorgeous, with lush countryside, atmospheric lighting, and good character models that improve on the original. The plot is also more interesting here, as you actually feel for your character and those around you; you no longer feel like an anonymous hitman killing people who mean nothing to you. Also adding depth to the game are the abilities to buy equipment, paintings etc, upgrade buildings in your family villa and various mini-games such as races, beating up specified individuals, or courier missions. While there is more depth here, and the storyline is genuinely intriguing, ACII has failed to improve in several ways as well. The combat system, which was fresh at the time of the first AC, has remained the same and now pales when compared to something like Batman: Arkham Asylum. Some of the platforming elements, such as when you try to get treasure from Assassin tombs, are far too long and drawn out, as is climbing up towers and 'syncing' areas. Overall, this is a huge improvement on the original and has a deep, perhaps overly-twisted storyline that will draw you in. Worth a long rental but not sure about buying as I can't see much lasting appeal after the game's been completed.

Assassin's Creed II (PS3) review

After the utterly anti-climactic ending in the original Assassin's Creed, I was dubious, yet also curious about the sequel. It's only after hearing that this was a massive improvement over the original that I decided to give it a go...and for the most part it's great! In this sequel, you take control of Ezio, an Assassin roaming Rennaisance Italy seeking to avenge his family. Graphically, the game is gorgeous, with lush countryside, atmospheric lighting, and good character models that improve on the original. The plot is also more interesting here, as you actually feel for your character and those around you; you no longer feel like an anonymous hitman killing people who mean nothing to you. Also adding depth to the game are the abilities to buy equipment, paintings etc, upgrade buildings in your family villa and various mini-games such as races, beating up specified individuals, or courier missions. While there is more depth here, and the storyline is genuinely intriguing, ACII has failed to improve in several ways as well. The combat system, which was fresh at the time of the first AC, has remained the same and now pales when compared to something like Batman: Arkham Asylum. Some of the platforming elements, such as when you try to get treasure from Assassin tombs, are far too long and drawn out, as is climbing up towers and 'syncing' areas. Overall, this is a huge improvement on the original and has a deep, perhaps overly-twisted storyline that will draw you in. Worth a long rental but not sure about buying as I can't see much lasting appeal after the game's been completed.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3) review

Those of you who played the first Uncharted may think you know what to expect from the sequel...you'd be right to an extent but there is just so much MORE here. Let's start with the presentation; the graphics, voice acting and story are absolutely mesmerising. Even my anti-gaming girlfriend would sit by me waiting to see what happened next. The characters are developed to a Hollywood level and so is the cinematic feel of the game. As you play through the game, you can find treasures and win medals which all adds up to you character's cash kitty, which in turn gives the game loads of replay value as you can unlock weapons, characters, multiplayer perks. This brings me neatly to the multiplayer aspect of the game, which before the game was criticised as a bad move. Well I can confirm that it wasn't. The multiplayer supports up to 12 players (this isn't an epic war game after all) and has a great array of modes to play around with. There is both competitive and co-operative game support, and it has never been easier to party up with you friends. Never before have I found a game so gripping in terms of both graphics and story. With the current tendency for games to be set in some grey dystopian future, Uncharted 2 prefers to take inspiration from Indiana Jones and other adventure films. This game is a breath of fresh air in a games industry severely lacking in strong action-adventure games. Let's hope other developers take inspiration from this!

Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3) review

Although I was never that into superheroes, I've always liked Batman. Something about the dark world, the truly sinister villains and the fact that Batman himself is pretty twisted appealed to me; this game captures all these things better than any film has (including The Dark Knight). This game's loyalty to the DC version of Batman could've gone either way, but some great scripting and character design makes this a winner. As Batman, you gain access to all his best gadgets as you progress through the game and can choose your upgrades as you level up. The combat is like a more developed version of Assassin's Creed, relying mainly on free-flowing combo's and counter-punching and is extremely satisfying. Stealth is also important, as you'll die quickly if you try to run headlong into a bunch of armed goons. Instead you have to make use of ledges, stone gargoyles etc to silently swoop down on armed enemies. I was also surprised at the freedom the game offers; instead of the game forcing you to go places, you can wander around Arkham Island, solving Riddler's riddles (unlocking character info, trophies etc.) or just beating up groups of goons. The graphics are extremely good; the characters look gritty and detailed and if you stand on Arkham's highest tower you can see virtually the whole island. I'm sure it helps that Batman is the only superhero I've ever really liked and that this is the most faithful rendition ever of the darker Frank Miller-style comics in any film or game, but the overall excellence of this game means that it should be played by any stealth/action game fan.

Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360) review

Although I was never that into superheroes, I've always liked Batman. Something about the dark world, the truly sinister villains and the fact that Batman himself is pretty twisted appealed to me; this game captures all these things better than any film has (including The Dark Knight). This game's loyalty to the DC version of Batman could've gone either way, but some great scripting and character design makes this a winner. As Batman, you gain access to all his best gadgets as you progress through the game and can choose your upgrades as you level up. The combat is like a more developed version of Assassin's Creed, relying mainly on free-flowing combo's and counter-punching and is extremely satisfying. Stealth is also important, as you'll die quickly if you try to run headlong into a bunch of armed goons. Instead you have to make use of ledges, stone gargoyles etc to silently swoop down on armed enemies. I was also surprised at the freedom the game offers; instead of the game forcing you to go places, you can wander around Arkham Island, solving Riddler's riddles (unlocking character info, trophies etc.) or just beating up groups of goons. The graphics are extremely good; the characters look gritty and detailed and if you stand on Arkham's highest tower you can see virtually the whole island. I'm sure it helps that Batman is the only superhero I've ever really liked and that this is the most faithful rendition ever of the darker Frank Miller-style comics in any film or game, but the overall excellence of this game means that it should be played by any stealth/action game fan.

Borderlands (PS3) review

Borderlands is a game that is unique in that there is something so wonderfully old-school about it. The Diablo comparisons are justified, as it is basically a loot-em-up action game that relies on character-building rather than storyline. At the start you get to pick from 4 unique characters, all of whom have a unique set of skills which you build on as you level up. The game world is interesting and atmospheric; the soundtrack is moody and goes perfectly with the cel-shaded surreal landscape of Pandora. Although I was sceptical about the cel-shading, you soon stop being aware of it as it's the best cel-shaded game ever and it just WORKS. While I can't see myself ever playing this game single-player, you can play the game co-op online with up to 3 other people or split-screen with a friend, which is how I've mainly been playing. It's the best co-op game I've played for the PS3 as it's open-world gameplay makes it really feel like an adventure, not some add-on that nowhere near as good as the main game. My few criticisms are that there's no reason to play this single-player and the driving mechanics are terrible. Also, some people will call this 'repetitive' or 'unrealistic' but if you're a fan of games which involve big bosses, lots of enemies, and endless loot then this is THE game to get. If you get bored of the sandy wastes of Pandora, then the quality of the first DLC (Zombie Island of Dr Ned) should reassure you that this game is gonna get considerably bigger and more varied as more DLC comes out. This is the ultimate co-op experience and should be played by anyone who has at least 1 gaming friend.

Borderlands (Xbox 360) review

Borderlands is a game that is unique in that there is something so wonderfully old-school about it. The Diablo comparisons are justified, as it is basically a loot-em-up action game that relies on character-building rather than storyline. At the start you get to pick from 4 unique characters, all of whom have a unique set of skills which you build on as you level up. The game world is interesting and atmospheric; the soundtrack is moody and goes perfectly with the cel-shaded surreal landscape of Pandora. Although I was sceptical about the cel-shading, you soon stop being aware of it as it's the best cel-shaded game ever and it just WORKS. While I can't see myself ever playing this game single-player, you can play the game co-op online with up to 3 other people or split-screen with a friend, which is how I've mainly been playing. It's the best co-op game I've played for the X360 as it's open-world gameplay makes it really feel like an adventure, not some add-on that nowhere near as good as the main game. My few criticisms are that there's no reason to play this single-player and the driving mechanics are terrible. Also, some people will call this 'repetitive' or 'unrealistic' but if you're a fan of games which involve big bosses, lots of enemies, and endless loot then this is THE game to get. If you get bored of the sandy wastes of Pandora, then the quality of the first DLC (Zombie Island of Dr Ned) should reassure you that this game is gonna get considerably bigger and more varied as more DLC comes out. This is the ultimate co-op experience and should be played by anyone who has at least 1 gaming friend.

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising (Xbox 360) review

I was one of the few people who was as excited by this as I was by Modern Warfare 2 in the build-up to its release. While MW2 was the Hollywood blockbuster game, Flashpoint 2 was to be the ultra-realistic tactical shooter that demands patience, skill and tactics. My initial impressions upon being dropped down onto the island where all the action takes place is that this is brilliant; you have a choice of what order to tackle your objectives in and though it takes a while to get to any of them without transport (which you can steal), this gives you options about how to approach the objectives. Be warned that this game is relentless; checkpoints are few and far between, it takes only a few shots to die and you can bleed to death if you don't see to your wounds. The single-player is a little bleak, especially since there's no reason you'd want to play it when you have the option of doing the exact same missions but with a team online. This is a credit to the game's great online options, but the single-player should be a fun thing in it's own right, which it isn't mainly because of dodgy team AI and a slightly awkward radial menu through which to issue commands to your team. Don't expect the guns, explosions and SFX of Modern Warfare 2; this game is much more like REAL modern warfare and is a relentless but satisfying game experience. If you manage to convince a couple of your friends to buy it then you could be in for one of the most intense and challenging co-op experiences available – but if you're looking for an engrossing single-player game then look elsewhere.

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising (PS3) review

I was one of the few people who was as excited by this as I was by Modern Warfare 2 in the build-up to its release. While MW2 was the Hollywood blockbuster game, Flashpoint 2 was to be the ultra-realistic tactical shooter that demands patience, skill and tactics. My initial impressions upon being dropped down onto the island where all the action takes place is that this is brilliant; you have a choice of what order to tackle your objectives in and though it takes a while to get to any of them without transport (which you can steal), this gives you options about how to approach the objectives. Be warned that this game is relentless; checkpoints are few and far between, it takes only a few shots to die and you can bleed to death if you don't see to your wounds. The single-player is a little bleak, especially since there's no reason you'd want to play it when you have the option of doing the exact same missions but with a team online. This is a credit to the game's great online options, but the single-player should be a fun thing in it's own right, which it isn't mainly because of dodgy team AI and a slightly awkward radial menu through which to issue commands to your team. Don't expect the guns, explosions and SFX of Modern Warfare 2; this game is much more like REAL modern warfare and is a relentless but satisfying game experience. If you manage to convince a couple of your friends to buy it then you could be in for one of the most intense and challenging co-op experiences available – but if you're looking for an engrossing single-player game then look elsewhere.