Review: Brink

Brink is a first person shooter that is in a class of it's own. What I mean by this is, the game is totally a new type of shooter. The only other game I can think about that is remotely the same is Team Fortress 2. Brink bravely compares to this game but unfortunately falls up short of TF2 because of the sheer originally, gameplay and replay value of Team Fortress 2. Not to say Brink is a bad game. The game features class types, similar to TF2, with the only differences between the classes being the abilities you have. The campaign is short and can get frustrating as the A.I is weak at best. The campaign is essentially multi-player mixed with Killzone's botzone feature. But the game was never designed for offline play. Brink would shine in online multi-player if the lag is cleared up, look for updates to the server as Brink is currently experiencing issues, especially on the Xbox 360. It also features it's S.M.A.R.T (smooth movement across random terrain) system that allows you to climb and jumb over anything. Customization is another feature in Brink where you can customize your look, guns, and abilities. Guns and accessories can only be unlocked through the challenge modes, where clothes and abilities can be unlock through gaining experience, online and offline. If you've played Brink you may know the game can get extremely frustrating as you tend to die everytime somebody aims their gun at you. This really encourages traveling in groups, upgrading your health and weapons, and following Brink's number one rule: never stop moving. If you are looking at this game, I would recommend it for the online and only when the bugs get fixed.


Score:
Graphics: 7/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Story: 6/10
Innovation: 9/10
Buying Appeal/Replay Value: 7/10

OVERALL: 7/10

http://www.brinkthegame.com

Review: Portal 2

I truely didn't know the meaning of jizzed in my pants until I played this game. Portal 2 is a continuation of the very successful Portal game. It is well known for it's humour and innovative and spectacular game-play. GLaDOS and Chell are back along with other characters such as Wheatley and Cave Johnson. This game has really focused on creating a plot, where as the goal of the first one was to beat tests and escape. New features such as physics altering gels, hard light bridges and areal faith plates make this game an epic adventure, that features some very surprising plot twist. It also features a co-op mode that has it's own story which was a blast. Me and a friend would spend so much time trying to plan out rooms and how to beat them, even if we weren't playing. The thing with the co-op is the second player has to participate or you won't get past the first level. Portal 2 will take you a combined 8-14 hours depending on if you are playing the co-op and want to take your time. If there is one fault to find in this game it's that it doesn't quite live up to the massive shadow cast by it's prequel. As good as this game was, Portal just had a certain charm and left such a lasting impression. Not to say Portal 2 doesn't, as it is easily one of the greatest games I have ever played. Another thing I didn't like was the ending song in Portal 2, probably because it made you compare it to the original which was so great.

GLaDOS won the nobel prize for longest grudge held

The very simple-minded but hilarious, Wheatley

Still watin' on my cake...

Score:
Graphics: 9.5/10
Gameplay: 10/10
Story: 10/10
Innovation: 10/10
Buying Appeal/Replay Value: 10/10

OVERALL: 10/10

http://www.thinkwithportals.com/

Preview: InFamous 2

A sequel to the 2009 Playstation exclusive, InFamous 2 is a direct follow up of the first one, with the main character Cole who gained electrical abilities. The game will feature a new location however, New Marais. The game features a good or bad system, (similar to the Fable series) which will effect the type of new ability you are granted during the game as well as other aspects. The plot features Cole trying to master his old and new powers to take on a beast who is destroying Empire City and everything in it's path. Along the way, Cole will have to fight the Militia, formed by a man named Bertrand, and the Corrupted who are horribly mutated beings. The game will feature user created levels that can be distributed online. You can choose any place, enemy, or challenge to create the levels and can change whether it's a fighting mission or a stealth one. This game also features a first look at Uncharted 3, if you're still not convinced. Personally, I don't think this game is going to be stellar, but by no means will it be bad. June 7th is the release date for this game as well as a hero addition which is also available, with extra features and add-ons.

Trailer


Gameplay


Prediction:
Graphics: 8.5/10
Gameplay: 8.5/10
Story:8/10
Innovation:9/10
Buying Appeal/Replay Value: 7/10

OVERALL:8/10

http://www.infamousthegame.com

Preview: DiRT 3

DiRT 3 is another addition to the super fun racing, rally car series by Codemaster. This game has been packed full of new goodies like: cars, locations, routes, events and over 50 new rally cars. If you want to see a more in depth view of these features, watch the Rally Trailer video below. This game has double the tracks of its predecesors and the campaign is pretty cool to. You start as a rally car driver and start your career to work your way to the top of the racing world. The trailers have shown some great, high-octane racing and some pretty stellar graphics. The thing that makes this series unique is the rally races and campaign, a great change up from games like Need For Speed. You may notice the 4 youtube videos below. I didn't want to use that many but I felt that they were all spectacular and had to show them, I could have chosen from way more. So if you love rally racing, lots of cars and tracks or Travis Pastrana keeps you up at night, I would highly recommend heading to the nearest gaming store on May 24th.

Debut Trailer


Rally Video


In-game trailer...wow


Gameplay


Prediction:
Graphics: 8.5/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Story:8/10
Innovation:8/10
Buying Appeal/Replay Value: 8/10

OVERALL:8.5/10

http://www.codemasters.com/games/?gameid=3240

Preview: Duke Nukem Forever

When I first watched the trailer an some of the gameplay for the new Duke Nukem game I had so much testosterone in my body I punched through a brick wall and challenged Chuck Norris to a fight. And when I awoke from my coma I decided to do a preview of this game. Duke Nukem Forever is a new FPS coming out June 14 for the Xbox 360, PC and PS3. This game has been 12 years in the making, gone through numerous setbacks and changes and it's finally coming. The whole premise for this game is simply aliens invade...no big whoop, aliens take women...now it's personal. With the last Duke Nukem coming out in 1996 and this one originally scheduled for somewhere around 2000, gamers have had an exceptionally long wait for this game but Jason Hall, host of The Jace Hall Show, says "This might be the only game in history worth waiting 12 years for, perhaps longer.... It was good." Duke Nukem will be one of those games you really just have to buy, with 12 years in production, how can it not be good? This game promises to have more outrageous gun fights then The Matrix, more versatility than Batman's utility belt and more balls of steel than...anything! Versatility such as car driving sections and multi-player. That's right, up to 8 people can engage in such modes as: Dukematch, Team Dukematch, Capture the Babe and Hail to the King. Duke Nukem also happens to feature some of the best one-liners in gaming history, next to GLaDOS. If you don't believe me check out the Ventrilo Harassment video posted below. So if you want a game that's going to kick ass (and chew gum) look for Duke Nukem Forever on July 14th.

Ventrilo Harassment


Best Trailer Ever


Gameplay


Prediction:
Graphics: 7.5/10
Gameplay: 10/10
Story:8/10
Innovation:6/10
Buying Appeal/Replay Value: 10/10

OVERALL:8.5/10

www.dukenukemforever.com/ (Even the website has some pretty badass music!)