Episode 58

cousin of the recent co-op X-Men games, X-Men Legends. It tweaks the formula again and delivers a smoother, prettier version of the X-Men Legends (mind you it was on the 360). The visuals are stunning on the 360, with cutscenes that really get you excited for the actual game. 1 complaint every level… even Namor’s underwater level is the same dreary palate. The sounds is ok, not stellar, not bad. VO can be a bit cheesy, but hey we like it that way right?!? The fact is though, that the X-Men Legends games, in my opinion, were poorly excuted imitations of other games in this genre like Champions of Norrath and it’s sequel, or DnD? Heroes. All three of these offer the ability to play co-op with up to 3 friends (4 in total), this one let’s you do it over live. You can play alone if you want to although you still have to have 4 chars in your party; which you can switch between in realtinme. As you play you gain XP and can spend this XP on various character special attacks and such; many of which can be combo’d with another player for super special moves that do extra damage. The problem though is that although there are something like 20 different characters it never feels like it matters. They all play to much like each other for you to care. Sure Spidey can swing across the top of the screen and Storm can fly about and Cap can throw his shield, but in the end the balancing and the environments are such that everybody just ends up waling on everytbody else with no thought to team play. At least with my friends it wasn’t needed! The bottom line is that these games are best when teamwork is key and this game doesn’t require it. It’s a rent for die hard Marvel fans, a pass for everybody else.

Burnout -Dominator - PSP

An excellent addition to the Burnout series Oddly missing is Crash mode an amazing sense of speed Encourages dangerous driving

Tiger Woods Golf 2007 - Wii

A sadly disapointing rendition of the golf favourite. The graphics on this offering are worse than the 2005 version on the PS2! The jaggies are everywhere, and in Gameface you can make a character with pointy cheeks! During chipping and putting there is a crazy about of screen flicker as you try to aim your shot. The sound is fine, but the VO offerings of the commentator’s again when compared to their PS2 05 cousin is sorly lacking. Gone are most of the wisecracks and interesting little sayings. Ok, so nobody cares about any of that right? How does it control…well…. The menus use EAs familiar Wii control scheme, if the Wii-mote is pointed at the screen you use it like a mouse to select items from the menu, gameface, etc… if you point the Wii-mote away from the TV the D-pad and A button control the menus. Both of these systems are clunky at best. Game face is especially frustrating, because the select button and the rotate character button are right next to each other. GRRRR!!!!! The actual golf is pretty good… once you get the hang of it. It’s about the same as Wii Sports Golf… of course I got that for free! In their defense once you get the hang of it it is easy and fun. If you like golf games and have some friends it’s a buy; although if you can wait I’d be willing to bet that 2008 will be better.

Download of the Week

http://www.maxgames.com/play/mcdonalds-videogame.html - virtual McDonalds? Game - try running the fast food giant.
Retro Gaming Moment

New Releases

DS -

Brain Buster Puzzle Pak - various puzzles types

Rafa Nadal Tennis - kinda average looking tennnis game

Wii -

Legend of the Dragon - based on animated series - 3rd person action game

Heatseeker - air combat game -

PC -

Fairy Godmother Tycoon - riiiight - well at least there is a free demo

Stargate Online Trading Card Game - I thought the best part of CCG’s was the collecting part - well I guess Yugio does well enough.

PS2 -

Legend of the Dragon - 3rd person action game based on anime series

Heatseeker - air combat game -PSP -

Legend of the Dragon - 3rd person action game based on anime series

Pocket Pool - …no really Pocket Pool - “Grab your stick and get ready to shoot pool with some of the hottest honeys in the bar.”

Winx Club: Join the Club - overly cutesy action game -

PS3 -

Spider-Man 3 - PS3 uses the SIXAXIS controller for an exclusive Goblin mode -

Spider-Man 3 (Collector’s Edition)

Xbox 360 -
Spider-Man 3

News -

Ken Kutaragi will be stepping down in June. The”father of the playstation” was the driving force behind many thins that brought Sony to tyhe top of the video game world. http://www.gamersreports.com/news/5532/ken-kutaragi-steps-down-from-his-position-at-sony/

Microsoft gamin devision still losing money - but improving as only losing $315 million last quarter. a 22% improvement from the same time last year. http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5374&Itemid=2

Nintendo will step up production of the Wii. They are finally saying there is a slight shortage. http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5378&Itemid=2

This years E3 was definatly going to be smaller then last years, but I dont think anyone expected 33 of the 400 from last years. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158951

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