Sunday Roundup: 12/11/11

The Fatal Frame series of survival horror games aren’t as well known as the Silent Hills or Resident Evils, but they’re praised just as much. Apparently this title, the first in the series, is based on true events, as evidenced by the box art. The whole premise of the series is based in the supernatural, and your primary means of defense is a camera. Letting the ghosts and spirits get close to you and essentially frightening yourself is the only way to deal with the ghastly ghoulies. I am excited to play through the game as I’ve never been able to get my hands on them before due to pricing.

The second game in the Fatal Frame series, subtitled Crimson Butterfly, is regarded as the best in the series. It’s also usually referenced when talking about the scariest games ever made. Oh man, who could I NOT play this game now? There’s so much potential for a game that’s both critically reviewed high and positively frightening. I can’t wait for this one, either!

Fatal Frame III: The Tormented is the third and final entry in the series on the PS2 (The fourth game came out on the Wii, but only in Japan). You know, I really don’t know that much about this game other than what WikiPedia has told me about it. Either way I am sure it is just as fun as the previous titles and will employ the same mechanics. Here’s to adding a great trio of games in the collection!

I’ve actually already played and enjoyed the first game in the series (Jake & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy), and I already own the 2nd game (Jak II), so I found it odd that I somehow neglected to purchase the 3rd game (Jak 3). Tell me, did you notice anything odd about the last sentence? I just find it weird that the Jak trilogy would be so oddly named. Why drop the Roman Numeral numbering system? And for that matter, what happened to the “& Daxter” in the title? It’s not like he’s not in the game! Oh well… I suppose it doesn’t really matter…

Strangely enough, this is the second Naughty Dog racing game I’ve purchased in the month, and I’m alright with that. I don’t really know if this is a sequel or just a side-game really, but It’s part of the Jak series nonetheless. Also, it was $2.50. I can’t really beat that.

Here’s a series that has totally slipped by and I always regret it. I’ve only played the newer Prince of Persia title released for the Xbox 360, and I really didn’t care too much for it. Sure, the game was pretty and the climbing/exploring was cool and all, but it just didn’t hold my attention. The PS2 trilogy, however, usually garners fantastic praise, the first game in particular. So it was a pleasure to purchase Warrior Within and leave it on my shelf to hopefully play at some point. After I get around to playing the first one. And before I ever play the third one. I have too many games…

I received this game as a review copy (albeit a good deal after the game released) and have already put a few good hours into it. Strangely, I’m almost already done with the entire single player campaign, and initial thoughts aren’t too positive. I like the idea of two Sonics, but the shortness of the main game, combined with the almost-there-but-not-nearly-close method of playing the same level twice but with each opposing Sonic is not as satisfying as it could/should have been. I must say, however, that the music is phenomenal: a mix of classic tunes from Sonic 1 through Sonic Adventure 2 (and beyond, sadly), as well as remixes of said tracks. The game does have a hefty heaping of nostalgia to give players, but I’m just not sure if it’ll be enough to quell my disappointment.

And lastly this week we have Street Fighter Anniversary Collection. Combing the definitive version of Street Fighter II (dubbed Hyper Street Fighter II) with the excellent Street Fighter III: Third Strike, Anniversary Collection is a great combination! Hyper allows you to pick from any character from any of the Street Fighter II iterations (II, Champion Edition, Turbo, Super, Super Turbo) and fight against an opponent from any of these games as well. So you can have Street Fighter II Ryu fight Super Turbo Sagat, and that’s awesome! And I’ve already said my praises for the genius that is Street Fighter III.