The concept was sound: combining the drive for a high score seen in arcade games with the intensity of a first-person shooter. The execution and end result probably looked better on paper than it actually turned out. Xotic (pronounced “Exotic”, because E’s are apparently overrated) is an indie Xbox 360 title that attempts to blend the above mentioned genres together, but instead shows us why some things don’t mix as planned.
Xotic is a first-person shooter/arcade style hybrid game released for the Xbox 360. The game is indie in design, but has a lot going for it, including relatively high production values and an interesting premise to say the least. Unfortunately the game just doesn’t work as well as it should. I recorded some gameplay for you all to see, and you can hear my commentary about the game as well. Check it out…
Top hats, English accents, and a plentiful amount of puzzles make up the excitement that is Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box, the second title in the venerable handheld series. Taking place after the events that unfolded during The Curious Village, this new adventure has Layton, Luke, and Flora uncovering the mysteries surrounding the Elysian Box, which is said to kill anyone who opens it. The suspense is high, the puzzles challenging, and the story surprising for Layton and crew, and I was absolutely absorbed in the game in no time. Put your thinking caps on ladies and gents: you’ll need them.
The magical world of Harry Potter meets the magic that is Lego in LEGO Harry Potter Years 5-7. A continuation of Years 1-4, Years 5-7 wraps up the last three books and four movies of Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s adventures to stop He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named from causing certain doom for wizards and muggles alike. Following the same family friendly formula as past LEGO titles, LEGO Harry Potter Years 5-7 sits nicely as a rare game that combines fun gameplay with a challenge that’s accessible to all ages.
I’ve been writing video game reviews for over two years now, and there’s been some things I’ve learned over that span of time. I don’t mean better writing techniques, for which I’ve picked up quite a few, but rather the things you don’t think about until they rear their head. Since not everyone has written reviews before, I wanted to take some time to reflect on my time spent writing, and give some insight on what it takes to be a freelance video game reviewer.
Space mercenaries have it made, don’t they? Flying around the uncharted cosmos, getting is dogfights with rivals mercs, taking odd jobs to earn small fortunes, and not giving a shit about anyone but themselves. Well rejoice, Han Solo wannabes, because Fusion: Genesis for the Xbox 360 lets you live out your space adventurer dreams.
The Lord of the Rings is among the greatest fantasy epics ever told, and after the success of the movie franchise a bevy of tie-ins products, side stories, and other media was created to expand the universe. Snowblind’s newest action title is set in the land of Middle Earth but does not follow the paths of Frodo, Aragorn, or Gandalf; instead it tells an entirely new story. The Lord of the Rings: War in the North acts as a side car to the main storyline, telling of the heroic deeds of three brave warriors whose actions directly impacted the success of the Fellowship. Grab your axe, sharpen your swords, and get ready to kill some orcs.
Wha-Wha-What?! Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Mix? Yeah, it exists, and I was more than happy to grab the game earlier this week and pop it in to the ol’ PS2. Easily one of the hardest to find DDR games available in the US, DDR Disney mix offers up the same DDR dancing experience just with a Mickey Mouse twist. What more could you want?! Well… apparently you can want more content.
Nintendo is magic. That’s the only way I can describe the company. Whenever they release a new game in an old franchise I feel like a kid again. It takes me back to the early 90’s when I grew up exploring Hyrule, saving the Mushroom Kingdom, and escaping planet Zebes. Now I’ve returned to Dream Land with Kirby’s Return to Dream Land for the Wii. Ditching the yarn in favor of a more traditional outing, Kirby inhales enemies, copies abilities, and positively drips nostalgia. Oh, and did I mention the co-op adventure mode?
What’s going on here? Two tower defense mash-up games for the Xbox 360 in one month? And they’re both pretty darn good to boot? Coming hot off the heels of Orcs Must Die! is Trendy Entertainment’s Dungeon Defenders, a combination of the tower defense and action RPG genres. With an emphasis on hacking and slashing through foes instead of strategically placing towers, Dungeon Defenders places you in the middle of the action as hordes of enemies storm your castle.