Review: Enslaved (PS3/360)

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is a bold 3D adventure that not only dares to give you great gameplay, but also an enthralling story. However, does the lack of replay value make you want to sit this journey out?

Enslaved follows the story of two unlikely partners trying to survive in post-apocalyptic America. Trip is the unwilling captor of Monkey, a man with incredible strength and the power she needs to make a safe journey back home. The story is gripping, but the thing that will truly make you want to find out what happens next is the incredible emotion the characters display. The legendary motion capture work of Andy Circus pays off in dividends for Ninja Theory, as the subtle facial movements and body language these characters exhibit instantly sells you on their humanity, and it makes the game stand out, even when compared to other top-shelf games.

Gameplay-wise, Enslaved does just as good a job. Jumping from platform to platform as Monkey is as easy as it comes, without the fear that a misguided button press or the fact that you were mistakenly holding the wrong direction on the analog stick will send you helplessly hurdling into the nearest bottomless pit. Combat, on the other hand, is a love-it or hate-it system. Players weaned on combo-heavy action games like Devil May Cry and God of War may scoff at the simple light-attack-or-heavy-attack formula offered here, but there is no denying the charm of a system that’s as easy to pick up instantly and enjoy as it is difficult to master. Puzzles also play a part, being sprinkled throughout the world in a thoughtful, caring manner that doesn’t feel out of place. While basic, these sequences provide a nice contrast to the combat, and with the two being balanced so well, neither element gets boring very quickly.

What may stay your wallet, though, is an altogether waste of potential. Enslaved is a real treat the first time around, and without giving anything away, the ending WILL blow your mind, but once you’ve seen the credits roll, you realize there’s not much to come back to. Sure, you can scour levels for the collectibles you missed the first time, but this is only really appealing to trophy hounds. Another missed opportunity is Trip, herself, who despite having the ability to distract enemies and help in solving certain puzzles really feels rather useless. She’s certainly a step up from Ashley from Resident Evil 4, but you still can’t shake the nagging feeling that she could have brought a lot more to the table.

Enslaved is a whirlwind experience in a setting that manages to feel fresh and new (no doubt thanks to the addition of colors other than gray and brown). If you own a PS3 or 360, be it a rental or a buy, you need to play this game. The fresh takes on old gameplay standards make Enslaved stand out, and Ninja Theory deserves every dollar they can make for this effort.

Submitted By: WhatTheFnu (customer)

Review: Nier (PS3/360)

Nier is an action RPG developed by Cavia and published by Square Enix. It was honestly one of the best gaming experiences that I've had with a "modern RPG" in a long time. Many of the role playing games released nowadays seem repetitive and short to me, so this was really a pleasant surprise. The combat system, though not intuitive, is very enjoyable and easy to use once you learn it. The same can also be said for the magic system, which allows you to have up to four spells equipped at one time, one to each of the shoulder buttons. It's a very simplistic system, but it can be said that the limitations imposed upon you add to the strategy you have to employ in battle.

The world in which the game takes place is almost 'sandbox' in nature, as in addition to being able to roam freely, many quests are able to be completed at any time during the main story, at your leisure. These quests are plentiful and rewarding, with most giving you huge cash rewards that you can then use to upgrade your armor and weapons. The land itself is fairly expansive, paying tribute to games like Legend of Zelda, where you travel from place to place through connected plains and fields. However, it is not so expansive that it takes more than a few minutes to get from place to place, which in my mind makes it the perfect blend between expansive and manageable.

Graphically it's not the prettiest game in the world. The textures throughout the game are pretty bland for the most part, and the character designs for all the random villagers and people are heartbreakingly boring. This is especially obvious when compared to the uniqueness of the main characters. Nier, who shares his name with the game, is an incredibly hideous man. While this would ordinarily not be much of a recommendation, he is a nice change from the 'pretty boys' usually populating Japanese RPGs. His sidekicks, Kaine and Emille, are also refreshingly unique, both in design and personality.

The music throughout the game is also very well done, both haunting and relaxing at the same time. I found it to be just amazing, and it's one of the few soundtracks that I made it a point to go out and buy afterwards. The voice acting is also top notch, and the only thing that stops this score from being absolutely perfect is that the sound effects are rather repetitive and bland.

As far as stories are concerned, it's one of the best I have seen in a long time, and it blew the pants off of Final Fantasy 13 in my opinion. It starts out as a simple 'father seeks daughter' story, but by the end, all the twists and turns change it into a much more epic and resonating tale of revenge and betrayal.

Overall, this was one of the most enjoyable RPGs that I've played in a long time. It kept my interest throughout the hours I played it, and it actually turned out to be a bit of a challenge as well. Too many times I have sat back after playing a game that was entirely too easy, and been left feeling empty, as if I had wasted the time I put into it. I did not feel that way at all after Nier; it was just challenging enough to make me feel as if I had accomplished something by the end, and even make me want run through it another time. I highly recommend this game to anyone who is looking for an RPG of moderate length, who wants something different and fresh from what has come before it. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Submitted By: Tom Ferko (Employee)

Import Review: Last Window The Secret of Cape West (DS)

Three years ago Nintendo released “Hotel Dusk: Room 215”, an incredibly atmospheric 'point-and-click' style adventure-mystery game and probably my hands down favorite game for the DS. I am absolutely thrilled that a sequel has been released, called “Last Window: The Secret of Cape West.” Unfortunately, for reasons that only make sense to executives at Nintendo, the game is not being released outside of Europe. But fear not, the DS's lack of region lock-out and the fact that “Last Window” is entirely in English, make this game 100% import friendly!

“Last Window” is set in Los Angeles during 1980, and takes place one year after the events in “Hotel Dusk.” However, it does not require knowledge of the previous game to be enjoyed, as the game stands completely on it's own. The storyline once again follows the investigation of Kyle Hyde, a former New York detective, this time as he attempts to solve the mystery of Cape West: a former hotel which has been converted into the apartments in which Kyle now lives. Eventually the story also entangles you in a mystery involving the murder of Kyle's father and his secretive past, both of which are somehow tied to the mystery of Cape West.

Just like “Hotel Dusk”, the player holds the DS vertically, like a storybook. Using the stylus, you engage in conversations with the residents, interact with environments, and solve puzzles. The conversations you have with the various residents can take many twists and turns, so beware: one misstep in a conversation can result in your failure to solve the mystery of Cape West. Thankfully, the game uses a very liberal system of check points so you won't be in too much of a bind when this happens to you, as it will, guaranteed. The game's puzzles also make full use of the DS features, including the microphone, as well as a wonderful puzzle involving the sleep function of the DS.

One of the great additions to “Last Window” is that every time you complete a chapter of the game, that chapter is then adapted into a novel, which can be read at anytime. This means that you not only get to enjoy the captivating gameplay, but a great novel at the same time too. The novel also acts as a hint section, directing players to certain characters should they have missed a certain clue or conversation.

This game just oozes atmosphere thanks to its film noir feeling and great mystery storyline, which is enhanced by beautifully animated character sketches and an excellent jazz soundtrack. It's no wonder that it is so easy to lose yourself in this story. If you find yourself longing for a great mystery adventure game, track down a copy of “Last Window” and enjoy it for yourself.

Submitted By: Aaron McKeever (Employee)

Preview: Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (PS3/360)

"Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" is going to be coming out in two weeks, and to be honest, I'm actually pretty hyped about it. When it was first announced, I admit I had lukewarm feelings about it. However, as time went on and more info was released about the things you can do and the changes to the gameplay, I started to look forward to its release. Part of the reason for my initial underwhelming interest was that I was not a fan of the first Assassin's Creed. To me, it was unfortunately very repetitive, which eventually made it outright boring. I never even gave the second one a chance, I was so disappointed in the first one. Apparently that was a mistake, as word has it that it was significantly better than its predecessor. Needless to say, if my excitement about "Brotherhood" is any indication, I'll be picking up the second game soon.

In any case, "Brotherhood" picks up right where Assassin's Creed 2 left off, with Ezio enjoying his status and place of power in the assassin's guild. Unfortunately, that power is taken away almost immediately, so you will have to start from scratch. Much of the game seems to center on rebuilding a 'brotherhood' of assassins to reclaim Rome. The gameplay mechanics are essentially the same as the previous game, but now you are no longer alone: the biggest change to the gameplay is the ability to use the assassin's you have gathered in your missions. It's a welcome change in my opinion, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how using multiple assassins effects the mood of the game.

Also new to this game, and in fact the whole Assassin's Creed series, is a complete multiplayer experience. This was what peaked my interest the most in this title. If done right, I truly believe that this could turn out to be one of the deepest and most tactical online multiplayer experiences on the market. Sneaking around, blending in with crowds, trying to assassinate other people, all while they are trying to do the same to you sounds like an absolute blast to me. Apparently this game will also be built from the ground up simultaneously for both the 360 and the Playstation 3, so hopefully the sound and graphics quality will be equal on both systems, unlike the previous two games. Ubisoft has stated that this is their largest game to date, with the most number of preorders, so you might want to do likewise. I know I'm going to put in my preorder for "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" at Level Up Video Games today, just as soon as I finish writing this.

Submitted By: Tom Ferko (Employee)

Review: Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii)

When compared to the early concept footage from 2007, Kirby’s first outing on the Wii seems to have gone the Resident Evil 4 route when it comes to the finished product. Even without multiple allies and his trademarked powers, is this still a finely woven tale, or does it leave you frayed at the ends?

As far as story goes, it’s a standard tale of an evil wizard and a plot to control Kirby’s home of Dreamland. It’s your basic “good vs. evil” story, and the narrator sounds much like a father telling a bedtime story to his kids, but just because the story is straightforward doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable. If you turn the lights down and let your mind go to a simpler place, you’ll soon pick up on its subtle charms. This probably isn’t a big shocker for long time fans, but what will be is the new gameplay.

The little pink protagonist’s abilities have been completely revamped in this title. Instead of swallowing enemies whole and using them as ammo or catalysts for transformations, Kirby simply winds his foes into balls of string that he can carry around and toss at will. Transformations still play a part, but not in the traditional sense. At certain points, Kirby will be able to morph into many different mega forms such as a UFO, a dune buggy, and even a dolphin. The new forms are area-specific, though, so be aware that you won’t be able to fight a boss with the tank’s missiles. This is most likely a design choice to minimize the exploitable nature of previous games and make you have to face Epic Yarn’s challenges on their own terms, but this is hampered by the fact that the game is so easy to begin with.

One curious omission is Kirby’s complete inability to die. Instead, if you get hit, your ring…er, BEADS go flying all over the place, and unlike a certain blue hedgehog, Kirby can easily reclaim every single bead lost if he’s fast enough. Even during boss fights, it’s totally impossible to fail no matter how much damage you take. To remedy this, the game awards you with medals for accumulating a good number of beads, and awards bonus currency for longer streaks without getting hit. Despite this, the fact that there’s virtually no penalty for getting hit combined with the Reading Rainbow narrator make it all too obvious why Nintendo has a reputation for being a kiddy company. Granted, that’s what some people like, and it’s a nice change of pace from the usual blood-drenched title, but if you can’t go 12 minutes without curb-stomping somebody, then the experience will quickly turn from Epic Yarn to Epic Yawn.

What really shines through in this game is the titular yarn. The graphics go far beyond a simple art style, and factor into the gameplay on levels you wouldn’t expect. It’s the little touches that make the graphics great, and it’s truly awe-inspiring to see all the tiny details that went into every single stage. The music is par for the course for any 1st party Nintendo title, with new songs accompanying an assortment of older tracks, but you may find some of these new tunes to be a little too tranquil and calm to keep you engaged in the action. We’re looking at YOU, Frosty Wheel.

Although it’s not cut from the same cloth, Kirby’s Epic Yarn is still woven from only the finest materials. The game is still fun on a basic level, and with the co-op, it’s a great way to get a friend in on the action. Just be aware that the greatest challenge you’re going to face is helping us come up with more yarn puns.

Submitted By: WhatTheFNU (Customer)

Review: Professor Layton & The Unwound Future (DS)

“A true gentleman should never keep someone waiting.” With finally releasing the third game of the Professor Layton series, it's good to see that Level 5 & Nintendo are starting to heed the Professor's words. Having quickened the pace of their release schedule, 'Professor Layton & The Unwound Future' is finally available on this side of the pond.

This time around, the Professor and his trusty young apprentice Luke are embroiled in a time traveling mystery, seemingly sending them to a London 10 years in the future, which desperately needs their help. The game also dives into the Professors back-story by introducing a plot point about the lost love of Hershell Layton's life. This storyline is incredibly touching and I'm not ashamed to admit that I got a little teary eyed over the ending. The voice-acting is also some of the best I have seen in any video game and the animated cut-scenes are excellently done.

The puzzles, just like with the previous two Layton games, are top-notch with more than a few of them being quite the challenge. Luckily, the hint system is back again, but this time it now includes a fourth “Super Hint”, which almost ensures your ability to solve the puzzle . This does not, however, flat-out give you the answer, because where's the fun in that right?

The game also introduces us to three new mini-games. First, we have a fun sticker storybook in which you collect stickers and place them in their correct spot to tell the story. Next is a puzzling delivery game where you must find the best route to deliver the merchandise and still beat the clock. Finally, we have an entertaining obstacle course game in which you must collect all the items and reach the goal in a limited number of moves.

With fun and thought provoking puzzles, supplemented by top-notch production quality and an excellent and heart warming story, 'Professor Layton & The Unwound Future' delivers on all fronts. It is definitely a must buy for anyone that owns a DS!

Submitted By: Aaron McKeever (Employee)

Review: Fallout 3 (360/PS3)

[PIP BOY MESSAGE ALERT: In honor of the upcoming “Fallout: New Vegas” we figured why not re-review Fallout 3. Make sure you check back soon for our forth coming review of 'New Vegas.'] 

First off, I must say 'good job' Bethesda, you have done it again! If you’re a big fan of Elder Scrolls games such as Morrowind or Oblivion you will love this game. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic Washington DC, but still set in a strange yet humorous pseudo 1950s world. You start the game off as a child being born, literally. Getting to choose your gender, ethnicity,  and name. Then starting the game off as a toddler you grow into an adult making choices that will determine what your strengths and weakness are at the beginning of your vault-dweller life. Due to circumstances out of your control, you eventually leave the vault which you have known your whole life for a world that your character has only heard about.

Once you leave the vault you are greeted by a bright sun that blinds you for a brief moment, and then your real adventure starts! The game can lead you down several paths, some good some bad, but ultimately you make the choice, as the main storyline can be beaten numerous ways. There are around 70 side missions in the game and the 5 expansions add an additional 30+ new missions. This game definitely delivers some bang for your buck!

The control style is pretty standard to a Bethesda type game, with a first person to third person type change taking place on the fly. As you level up you receive different types of perks that change your players attributes, from hacking a computer terminal, to how accurately you can shoot a gun, or how skillful you are at bartering for supplies. The Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S.) allows you to stop time and target specific body parts, in the traditional turn-based style of the original Fallout. It's a fun system and works well with the severed limbs and decapitations served up in slow-mo guts and glory.

No matter what console you own, you should definitely play Fallout 3, which overcomes its issues by offering a deep and involving journey through a world that you will not soon forget. It has more in common with Bethesda's Elder Scrolls series than with previous Fallout games, but that is by no means a bad thing. Whether you're new to the universe or a Fallout devotee, untold hours of addictive game play are waiting.

Submitted By: Michael Aquirre (Employee)