Preview: Sonic Generations

In celebration of the 20 year anniversary of Sega's speedy blue mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog will blaze onto consoles later this year in Sonic Generations, blending gameplay elements ranging from the original Genesis all the way to the modern consoles. While a good portion of the iterations over the years has brought disappointment and wariness to fans of the series, the undying anticipation of each upcoming title remains apparent. Sega's latest announcement may just be the spark of hope many have been waiting for.

In this upcoming installment, Sega takes all the best parts of all the Sonic games and will showcase the blue rodent dashing through 2D and 3D levels that have been completely redesigned for each gameplay mode. The demo that's currently available on Playstation Network and Xbox Live features Sega's tribute to the Green Hill Zone level as seen in the very first Sonic game.

The demo only allows gamers to play through GHZ in 2D, similar to Sonic the Hedgehog 4. While this mode doesn't completely stick to this perspective, however. Periodically, the camera pans off to the side to get a better view of Sonic as he speeds past the lush green background. The controls remain the same as they were in the classic games. On the PS3 controller, the X button jumps and by holding down on the D-pad while rapidly tapping X performs Sonic's spin dash or just tap the Square button. That's it, simple but effective...and fun!

The 3D mode isn't available on the demo, but based on gameplay footage from this year's E3, this mode still shows GHZ and looks to play similarly to Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast or last year's Sonic Colors. The camera also frequently switches from the over the shoulder view to the classic 2D style. Sonic also retains his dash attack seen in earlier games that depletes his meter with each use, but gets refilled by defeating enemies or performing mid-air tricks. 
 

The game looks stunning in both the modes, despite the fact that most of the time you may not get a chance to stop and take it all in. The graphics are detailed, with a lot to look at, but not so much that it distracts from the action. 
 

Sega hasn't released much about the story yet, but something has been said about a Sonic being pulled through a time rift by a mysterious power, which is where the crossover element comes into play. With only one level available for play, it's difficult to say if Sonic Generations can pull the series out of the hole previous iterations have dug for it. The demo is only going to be available for download on PSN and Xbox Live until July 12. After that, gamers will need to wait until this holiday season to pick up their copy.

Review: UFC Personal Trainer Kinect (360)

With the introduction of the Kinect, there has been a slew of workout games released for the Xbox 360. While it's nice that they were trying to get their audience moving, each game suffered from the same core problem. Zumba Fitness? The Biggest Loser? Your Shape Fitness? They were all for chicks. Each may have been fun in its own way, but buying one from a game store was accompanied with a certain sort of "this is actually for someone else" shame. Thankfully, UFC Personal Trainer has arrived to knee this stigma right in the face. There is nothing girly about this game; it fills the time between basic workouts like push ups and sit-ups with punching, kicking and kneeing. The workouts are shown by world famous MMA trainers, and their voices and character models are all immediately recognizable to the hard core fans.

The workouts are fairly intense; after the fitness diagnostic and a 15 minute pre-programmed workout I felt like I had just finished a P90X workout. For the diagnostic, the game asks you to do push ups and sit-ups, then jumping jacks to get a baseline of your heart rate and stamina. It then lets you pick one of the trainers who will run you through a quick warm up of stretches and calisthenics, followed by a brutal gauntlet of kick-boxing and jujitsu, mixed with squats, yoga, and other more traditional exercises. It is also possible to custom tailor your own workouts and keep track of calories burned, time spent, etc.

The game also has a few multi-player modes, such as "Side by Side"(both at the same time) and "Hot Seat" (taking turns) as well as a highly original "Challenge Mode" on XBL in which you can complete a routine, then send it to a friend as a challenge. This is probably the first game in which the top of the leaderboards really could, literally, beat you up.

This game is not without its problems, however. I found during this test that the game is very picky about placement of the Kinect; I had to be the maximum distance from the Kinect and others had to be far outside its view in order for all of my reps to count. It's much more precise than "Biggest Loser", but if you don't have the full 12ft play area it can be frustrating, especially when you nail 80 sit-ups and only have 60 counted. It also went to the pause screen fairly often when my roommate stepped to the side to watch, and its "side by side" multiplayer mode can be a little scary if the person next to you is wild with their punches.

Overall though, it is by fair the best work out game so far on the market, for any system bar none (edging out Zumba by sheer testosterone).

Submitted By: Daniel Dewey (Employee)

Review: Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (360/PS3)

After a 10 year hiatus, finally, a new Marvel vs. Capcom entry has been made. It brings back a lot of the veteran characters from previous entries in the franchise, from both companies, as well as some interesting new arrivals. The gameplay is also similar, but with enough new additions to make MvC3 familiar to those who love the series, but fresh enough to still surprise them. It's still got the incredibly fast gameplay, your old 3 on 3 battles, assists, hyper-combos, etc, but there's also the new ability to switch characters during aerial combos, switching partners by holding the assist buttons rather than the punch and kick buttons (which is much easier), and so on. Basically, if you loved the other entries in this series, you will love the third one just as much, if not more.

Probably the biggest change, as far as gameplay goes, is the change-up of the button schematic. Instead of your old two punch and two kick buttons you now have a series of light, heavy and special attacks. Veterans will find themselves having to re-learn a lot of attacks and special moves with this new layout. However, the new button schematic seems to require a little more skill and timing than the previous system, which should discourage those pesky button mashers. As someone who really can't stand them, I can't help but think that anything that punishes button mashers is a good thing. You can still change the button layout around, however, which should allow veterans to make a set-up which allows them to feel right at home. In any case, the graphics are so good you might not even notice the gameplay. The 3 dimensional characters and the 2 dimensional backgrounds are highly detailed, flashy, and colorful, with each character having their own unique eye-catching combos and specials. It truly is a feast for the eyes.

Marvel vs Capcom 3, however, is unfortunately not immune to criticism. Some game alterations were genius, while others were, in my opinion, a bit lame. For example, MvC3 now has a roster of only 36 characters, as opposed to its predecessor MvC2's 56. MvC3 decided to leave out a lot of the favorite characters, too. Mega Man is absent but a lame character like MODOK was added, and Ken from Street Fighter was left out as well. A few other veterans were missed, but we did get compensated with the inclusion of some pretty awesome new characters, such as Dante from Devil May Cry. MvC3 is also sadly lacking in the diversity of its game modes. If you're looking for an expansive fighting game experience, that has tons of extras beyond arcade mode, this definitely isn't the title. Overall though, the changes that were made impressed me, and I can't say enough how thrilled I am that a skilled player can finally easily foil a button masher in MvC3. It's just as addicting and fun as its predecessor, and I'm sure it will be embraced by everyone who remembers MvC2 fondly, as well as pick up a new generation of fans in the process.

Submitted: Armando Ibarra (Employee)

Review: Mortal Kombat (PS3/360)

It's been a while since a solid Mortal Kombat game has been released, but with the fighting game revival in recent years it seems they decided to breathe new life into the series. Stepping away from the full 3D stages, NetherRealm studios decided to go with the more popular "2.5D", where the stage and characters are rendered in three dimensions, but the characters move on a 2D plane. This was really the right choice for this game, as it is a nice throwback to the original games; it gives you that old-school feeling without having to put up with Super Nintendo graphics.

To start off with, Mortal Kombat's story mode is, surprisingly, really in-depth and interesting. Considering fighting games aren't exactly known for their story, this is an impressive feat. That alone almost makes the game worth buying, just for that. It picks up right where Armageddon left off, with Shao Khan defeating the last of Earth Realm's heroes. Raiden manages to send a message to his past self, warning of a horrible future and hoping for a chosen one to come forward who can defeat Shao Khan. It then proceeds to re-tell the story of the first three games, combined into one complete narrative. The story is backed up by fantastic voice acting and sound effects, and that, as well as its overall quality, really makes it stand out among the current batch of fighting games.

The gameplay in Mortal Kombat is also fantastic, and delivers in the gore department, as its predecessors did. With built in combos and the addition of Kustom Kombos, the fighting is varied and fun, not to mention very balanced (except for a few bosses, which is to be expected). With over 27 characters, and more to come through DLK, there is enough stuff jam-packed into the game to keep you satisfied for weeks. Of course, characters aren't the only extras to enjoy. There are mini-games such as 'Test Your Might, Sight, and Luck', plus the Challenge Tower, as well as the Krypt with TONS of unlockables, including costumes and new fatalities! No expense was spared on this game, with its fully rendered cutscenes during story mode, full 1080p display, and tons of downloadable kontent. It really is the shining star of the series.

Overall this game is a must have for fans and newcomers alike! It's a nice medium between Street Fighter and Marvel vs Capcom 3, as it's faster and more combo-oriented than Street Fighter, but not as fast and crazy as MvC3. Also, as if the inherent value of the game isn't enough, there is going to be a Mortal Kombat Tournament at Level Up on June 18^th! Pick up your copy today, get some practice in, then come show us what you've got and TEST YOUR MIGHT!

Submitted By: Tom Ferko (Employee)

Video Review: EX2 Turbo Controller (X360)

Welcome to the first, of what we will hope will be many, of our video reviews.

Our very own Daniel Dewey (DayTrip) reviews the new EX2 Turbo Controller for the XBOX 360 by Hori. While the controller is designed for fighting games, it REALLY shines in games like Call of Duty, because you can assign any button with turbo capabilities. Because of this you can set your "fire" button to turbo and clip dump away on your opponents. The best part of all of this is that the controller is officially licensed by Microsoft so you aren't really "cheating"...right? ;-)

A special thanks to WhatTheFnu for editing this video for us, make you sure you check out his YouTube channel!

Preview: The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D (3DS)

Long ago, Nintendo released upon the world what would eventually become one of the most beloved video games of all time. Of course, I'm speaking of 'The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time'. Regarded by many as the best video game of all time, 'Ocarina' is at least, unequivocally, one of the best video games of the past decade. Unfortunately, time is a cruel mistress, and has not been so kind to the game in the visuals department. So, the wonderful people at Nintendo have decided to give it a polish and bring it up to speed. 'The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time 3D', for the Nintendo 3DS handheld, could likely rank among the most anticipated games of this year, and I am as giddy as a school girl for its release. Will the revamped title bring even more praise to the already massive amounts this game has received, or will it end up at the bottom of a bargain bin (as the unfortunate 'Spirit Tracks' did) due to over-estimating demand? It is dangerous to go alone! Take this! It may aid in your ultimate decision.

 

Unlike the previous re-releases of the game, 'Ocarina 3D' will feature a complete overhaul in the graphics department, meaning our hero of legend will now be much more pleasing to the eye; he most definitely needed the facelift. The classic story remains intact, following the same arcs and battles you may or may not recall from the Nintendo 64 version. However, the new version will not only be in stunning stereoscopic 3D, it will feature new modes, extra content and play styles. Especially exciting to me, 'Ocarina 3D' will feature a touchscreen inventory control which will hopefully aid in the dreaded water temple, along with making shuffling through your items a bit more convenient. Iron boots shall be faster equipped than ever before, faster than you ever thought they could be AND in full 3D! 

 

 Another new addition are the “hint movies”, which allow a player to refer to them for help with a particularly difficult puzzle or dungeon. For those who may not have played the game for over a decade or so, this feature could be incredibly useful if your memory isn't quite what it used to be. 'Ocarina 3D' also boasts the “Master Quest”, which appeared in the GameCube re-release, touting rearranged dungeons to challenge veteran players whose memory is still intact. As added icing on the cake, the 3DS version will also include a “Boss Challenge” mode, in which you are able to fight a particularly fun boss battle without having to comb through each temple or dungeon again.

 

In short, the game looks beautiful, and according to all that I have seen, heard, and researched, it will be nothing short of a fantastic addition to the franchise. 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D' hits shelves shortly after E3 this year, on June 19^th . Don't miss your chance to re-explore the Kingdom of Hyrule! After all, it's been a very long time, and I'm sure you've missed it as much as I have.

Submitted By: Corey Hall (Employee)

Import Review: El Shaddai Ascension of the Metatron (PS3/360)

I don't think I have ever been at a loss for words when it comes to a game, but El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron is simply beyond description. It is the latest game to come out of the creative teams that made Devil May Cry & Okami, and boy does its pedigree show.

The game is a 3D/2D hack-n-slash platformer with visuals that make Okami look like a kindergartner finger-painted it. This game's visuals, backgrounds, level design, and art style are the most beautiful I have ever seen. Just a few examples of the overwhelmingly impressive environments available: a stained glass platforming section with depictions of the archangels for the background; a world where the sun and moon are constantly battling for control, which in turn effects the weather, and as a result your platforming ability; an “underworld” level that looks as beautiful as it does strange. The game's main title/opening credit sequence is incredible, and really sets the visual tone for the game early on. This is the most amazing, visually stunning, absolutely mind-blowingingly beautiful game I have EVER seen!

The premise of the game is loosely based on the Book of Enoch (look it up on Wikipedia if you like). In the game, five angels have fallen from grace and have stolen the wisdom of God. They have established their own kingdom on Earth and now humans are worshiping them instead of God, as they are speeding human evolution along thanks to the “technology” of heaven. In addition, the fallen angels are now interbreeding with humans, creating a new race of beings. God is naturally displeased with the whole thing, and decides to send a flood to Earth to destroy all mankind as punishment. The archangel Lucifel (Lucifer, before his fall from grace) is able to convince God to send Enoch, a human scribe that lives in heaven, to try and kill the angels and save mankind from destruction.

To help in this task Enoch is granted access to three heavenly weapons: The Arch is your “sword” style weapon, The Gale is your long range “shooting” weapon, and The Veil is your “gauntlet” style heavy weapon. During the course of combat your heavenly weapons will become tainted by the enemies they have defeated and will need to be purified, or else their combat effectiveness will go down. You can always tell when your weapon is tainted, as it will change from its “pure” blue glow to a “tainted” red glow. Unlike Devil May Cry & Okami, you don't just press a button and change to whatever weapon you want on the fly. In El Shaddai, you actually take the weapons from the enemies you are fighting. Once you have sufficiently pummeled an enemy they will fall to one knee and glow blue for a short while, which is your signal to run up to them and steal their weapon, with much show and panache. Personally, I found the other two weapons fairly useless and always stuck to The Arch, unless prompted by the game to switch to another weapon due to enemy specific weaknesses.

Now that all these completely inadequate words are out of the way, I present to you a video of this amazing game. Stunning doesn't even begin to describe it. When this comes out in the US (look for a release date to be announced at this year's E3) you NEED to buy it.

Submitted By: Aaron McKeever (Employee)