Sunday Roundup: 6/10/12

Having never played the first game in the series, I really don’t know what to expect from Death Jr. The game has an interesting art style (reminiscent of a Tim Burton film), and it’s an action game, from the best of my knowledge. Considering there hasn’t been another game in the series since this one (unless I’m mistaken), it must not have done particularly well on store shelves.

How can I say no to Dragon Age II, brand new on the PC for just five bucks? I have played and revered the first game on the PS3, and I’ve always heard that the PC is much better suited for these games. I’m hesitant to open this one up though, since it’s still in the original packaging. I have a feeling my urge to play will get the better of me on this one though. At least when Diablo III releases it’s hold upon me.

Elebits was released around the launch of the Wii, and I remember reading reviews about the game at the time praising it for it’s fun gameplay. You basically just scan a room with the Wii Remote and try to find hidden aliens (the Elebits), and that’s pretty much it from what I know. Still though, and early Wii title for four dollars isn’t a bad deal in my book.

The forgotten game in the Fallout series, Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel is an action RPG similar to the Champions of Norrath and Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance series’. Unfortunately though, this game wasn’t as well received as those. I think it had to do with boring gameplay and not feeling or looking anything the material the game is based on. Still though, being a fan of the Fallout series, I had to get this one.

I’ve been rolling in the Chocobo spin-off games lately, and I think this pretty much completes the entire American release of them. Chocobo Tales for the DS is a sort of hybrid game that focuses on card battles and RPG-like gameplay. Naturally, the game follows the little yellow bird from the Final Fantasy series as he sets off on his own adventure. The game has a much lighter tone and is directed more towards kids with it’s easier gameplay elements and simpler story. Hey, I’m someone’s kid…

I remember seeing this game and the first one in the series the last time I was in this Disc Replay store about a year ago and thinking, “Hmm, seems pretty cool,” and I didn’t pick them up. Well, I’ve had a change of heart and want to play them both now. Luck didn’t favor me entirely though, as the first game was no where to be seen, but at least they had this second one there for the DS. The game is a rogue-like RPG, which I don’t have too much experience playing.

I almost bought this game for $10 a couple weeks back, but decided against it because the prices for the game online were around $10 as well (and I usually like to get a better deal on a game that as random as this). Well I’m glad my venture turned successful for me, as $2 is a much more friendly price tag for a game that I’ll seldom, if ever, play.

I’ve gone on record saying this before, but I’ll say it again: whenever you can find a GBA/GB game still in the box, it’s a good day. When that game is as stellar as Metroid, then you’ve got a much better day. Zero Mission is actually an enhanced remake of the original game, featuring totally reworked art, redone maps, improvements from other Metroid games like new weapons and abilities, as well as an extended end game.

With the exception of Phantasy Star Online, I think the first Puzzle Quest is the game that I have bough the most times for different systems (DS, PC, and PS2). Now I feel like I must find the PSP and Wii versions just to say that I have them all.

Speaking of launch games, Elebits, Red Steel actually was a launch game. It came out the same day as the North American release of the Wii system. I had previously played the game in my college dormitory; my RA had the game and was super psyched about it. I remember it… not being very thrilling though. I liked the idea of a samurai-themed game that utilized the Wii’s motion controls, but this game was too early to fully grasp the Wii’s potential.

I have heard nothing about this game, I just saw it on the shelf and thought it looked alright. At least, it looks alright for just three dollars. Further review online points to the games many flaws. I’ll have to see for myself I guess, but whenever multiple reviews call the game bad I’m less likely to play it at all.