Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Formats: Xbox360 [Played], PS3, PC
Published by: Activision
Developed by: Infinity Ward
Released: November 10, 2009
Score: 94%

This really was worth the wait and proves to be a suitable sequel to the first game. Graphically it’s outstanding and the gameplay and controls are everything you have come to expect from the Call of Duty games. They have done away with the respawning enemies which are music to some people’s ears but not for mine and I’ll tell you why. The Call of Duty games are the only series of games that I will start playing on the hardest level setting which as you would know is Veteran. Not only to I like the extra achievement points but I thrive on the challenge it presents itself and the feeling of accomplishment afterwards. The problem with MW2 is that it is far too easy on the Veteran setting, sure there were places I died a few times but there was only one point that I remember having a major issue with and that was just down to the autosave saving me as I was being shot at in the middle of making a getaway. The respawning enemies in the first MW meant that you were forced to keep moving forward and anytime you stopped to hide of get under cover you found 4 frag grenades landing next to you again forcing you to run out into gunfire. This and the fact that the game is very short are the only two issues I have with an outstanding game. The levels although easier than previous games are fun and enjoyable, even if there is one level which tests your guilt.
Apart from the main game you also have a Special Ops game which can be played solo or with a friend via the system link or xbox live. If you want to get those Veteran stars you will need to play with a friend because these short levels are tougher then the main game when playing solo. These levels are great when playing with a friend and really do expand on the main game making you work hand in hand with your partner.
Last but not least the multiplayer option gives you bigger maps and more perks as you play though the game. I have not yet touched the surface of this option but I believe it’s more or less the same as the first one but with different perks and a few more options.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Formats: Nintendo DS [Played]
Published by: Square Enix
Developed by: Hand
Released: September 29, 2009
Score: 91%

The first Kingdom Hearts for the Nintendo DS is set between Kingdom Hearts 1 & 2 and after (and during) Chain of Memories on the Gameboy advance. The story follows Roxas (who starts the game in Kingdom Hearts 2) from his first day as he joins the Organization XIII. As you play you will watch his story unfold and learn more about him and what the Organization represents. 358/2 Days introduces a new character Xion but I cannot go into much about her without giving some secrets away and you see Axel who makes his introduction in Chain of Memories and also in KH2 play a bigger role.The battle system is strange at first but after a couple of (game) days into 358/2 Days you will get used to it. There will also be a chance to change the way you rotate the camera after a while which I would advise you do as soon as you get the option.The cut scenes are very good as you progress through the story, showing flashbacks to KH1 and COM for those of you who have played them also adding in some new ones. The battle system is pretty much the same as KH1/2 although you do get a panel system. The panel system is used to hold all your items and potions also level up’s and extra moves. There are also "Link Panels" with which multiple panels can be combined to form new, stronger abilities.
The game is in 3D and for the DS this looks absolutely fantastic although the game makes minimal use of the system's touch screen functionality.

Every day you get set missions by the Organization which can be anything from collecting heats from heatless to taking out boss characters. You will visit some Disney worlds from the previous games and they all have their own recognizable music.

The only cons I have with this game is that some of the bosses have to much HP, once you have worked out how to avoid their attacks some of the bosses become really simple but you end up fighting some of them for 10 minutes plus just to whittle down their HP and this becomes tedious and boring. Some of the missions as you go through the game are the same and feel repetitive, like they have been added just to fill time. Also as the DS relies on its touch screen to play games and this game uses the Dpad I found the game uncomfortable to play for long periods.
My biggest drawback is not with the game itself but the fact it was released on the Nintendo DS. KH 1 & 2 came out for the PS2, then COM came out on the Gameboy and in Japan only on a special edition PS2 game as an add on. This meant that fans of the series have to buy a new console if they did not have it. Now this one is released on the Nintendo DS and another game Birth by Sleep will also be released for the PSP which means anyone who does not own these Hand Held’s will be missing out. I wait to see which system KH3 will be released on.
All in all this game is really good despite the small drawbacks and they are small. You can tell that a lot of time and effort have been made by the developers. One for fans of the series, but you won’t have needed to have played the others in order to enjoy it but those who have would understand it a lot more.

Mirrors Edge

Formats: PS3 [Played]
Published by: Electronic Arts
Developed by: DICE Sweden
Released: November 11, 2008
Score: 60%

My next game I wanted to finish off was Mirrors Edge, which was a big release game last Christmas. When I played the demo I absolutely loved the idea of free running across buildings and for me the demo did deliver however what I was yet to realize is that this game gives me motion sickness which means I start to feel sick after 20-30 minutes of gameplay.

For those who don’t know Mirrors edge is a single player first person action game with a slight twist. Your characters name is Faith and she is a 24 year old Runner who provides a courier service around the city via foot, stealing items that others can’t and using the buildings for her getaway. Only for a small parts of this game (and if you choose to) feature any form of shooting enemies most of the time you will be free running over and in buildings climbing walls, using zip lines and running along walls. Graphically although quite basic to a few colors I thought this game looks stunning in places outside but is let down once you are inside buildings. As you run around it really does feel like you are in control of your character as your head will move around while running or shake when you make a difficult jump, you will see your hands come from the sides when running, when you look down you will see your feet etc etc When it comes to game play I have utter love for this game and then in one swoop it changes to disgust and hate. Never have I fell in love and hated a game so much at the same time. Some of the worst points being unable to perform jumps you have done time and time again. What you could do once before you may fail the next time and it’s not down to controls. When you are flowing freely, timing every jump well it looks and feels amazing but all of a sudden you will get to certain area and it’s normally when you are being chased that some jumps let you down. There is a button that shows you the direction you should be going in but there isn’t always a straight forward route.
Take this level for example, I opened a shutter door where there were guards with guns all around and boxes and staircases, I have no gun and I am expected to locate my way through this maze that also has dead ends and at the same time being shot in every direction. Sometimes you are forced to replay parts over and over again and it really spoils what sets out to be a fantastic game. Busting through doors brings a different feel then previous games and I also like the slowdown button but this does not last long and isn’t always helpful. You face armed guards from time to and you can choose to fight them and take their weapon or sometimes it’s just better to try and lose them. All in all this game is both brilliant and too frustrating. You will be flowing through the city one minute then constantly trying to pull off another jump the next.

Uncharted: Drakes Fortune "Review"

Formats: PS3 [Played]
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developed by: Naughty Dog Software
Released: November 20, 2007
Score: 91%

As my Xbox has suspiciously died I have gone back to some old games on my PS3 to finish them off. First off is Uncharted which I actually went back to because I really want to play the second game that is out now.
I am really glad that I did, this Tomb Raider slash Indiana Jones style game brings humor and great story telling to the Playstation 3. My first thought when playing this game was wow this is tomb raider with more fighting humans and there is a lot of fighting in this game which isn’t always a bad thing but in some cases it did go on for a while. You can only hold two weapons at once but you can drop and pickup weapons as you go through the game defeating enemies, which is quickly needed when you are low on ammo and will force you to move from area to area instead of just hiding in one spot. Enemies will also throw grenades at you which again will force you to move out of hiding.
You play as Nathan Drake who is looking for the lost treasure of El Dorado with the help of Sully and Elena who wants to capture the whole adventure on film as she is a reporter.
The gameplay is really good and the aiming system works very well, you can hid behind walls and creates but creates do not last long before falling apart leaving you exposed! The graphics in Uncharted are stunning at times especially the cut scenes. The humor this game brings works perfectly with the setting and both Sully and Elena prove to be fantastic sidekicks.
You can tell that the idea of this game has been taken from Tomb Raider even the puzzles which are a great touch but if you wait too long hints will come up. Also you will from time to time be asked to use the Motion Sensor in your sixaxis. Only criticism comes at the end of the game which some people may like but for me it changed it away from the game I was enjoying. Although I do like the section where you are walking through dark tunnels with a small light waiting for anything to jump out you but like I said before it sidetracks the game away from what it set out to be. The other issue I had was the length of the game, you can play from start to finish in less than 10 hours but the gameplay that you do play makes this one of my favorite games out for the PS3.