Video Game Reviews
Issue 231 / March 2008 More from this Issue
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Assassin’s Creed
Ubisoft Montreal
Xbox 360/PS3
11.13.2007
Action
The tsunami of hype that preceded the launch of Assassin’s Creed was so massive that it was sure to leave many expectations high and dry once the game actually set sail. An early trailer for the game generated so much chatter in the gaming community that Assassin’s Creed was able to launch this last holiday season and actually stand amongst the many triple-A sequels arriving at the same time. So the conundrum with a new game with so many hopes pinned to its sleeve is how it can establish itself as both new and enjoyable to players while at the same time satisfying all of those towering expectations, because just being a good game at this point isn’t enough. For the most part, Assassin’s Creed achieves this nearly impossible goal, but not without a few crucified opportunities that would have made it an unforgettable title.
The game takes place in a few different Middle Eastern cities during the time period of the crusades. The visual quality of the cities and their virtual inhabitants in Assassin’s Creed is second to none. Go ahead and explore the amazing details for a few hours; you won’t be disappointed. And since your character has Spiderman-like climbing abilities, you’re not just limited to exploring the streets. Every rooftop and tower becomes a new challenge to conquer. Unfortunately, this is the best part of Assassin’s Creed. The fighting mechanics are bare-bones simple and the plot moves at a snail’s pace. Also, the inability to skip over the long animated scenes sent tears of anguish falling onto my controller.
I’m doing my best not to make fun of the horribly tacked on sci-fi understory; that would be too easy. Planning assassinations is fun the first few times, but eventually the repetitiveness in Assassin’s Creed will have you hopping up on the cross just to end the pain. The controls and on-screen display are overly cumbersome, and, at times, feel as if they were designed to make the game at least somewhat challenging. Overall, Assassin’s Creed feels like it went for more wow factor than actual game play, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t at least stop by and check out the amazing scenery.
3 out of 5 ancient people don’t like being stabbed
Everyday Shooter
Queasy Games
PC/PS3
03.29.06
Arcade Action
Since last month’s SLUG Magazine has thrown us all head-first into the fiery volcano that is independent video gaming, I wanted to keep that thread alive with what will hopefully become a monthly glimpse into the erupting chasm of alternative gaming. First up is Everyday Shooter, a game written by Jonathan Mark, originally released on PC and now available for download on the PlayStation Network. Everyday Shooter plays on the same classic principles as Asteroids or Galaxian (static screen, two dimensional) but takes the entire package to new places with unique visuals and a simplistic but very organic solo guitar soundtrack.
What made Everyday Shooter feel unique for me is how replaying the game is the cornerstone to completing it! By playing the game, points are earned that can be saved up to buy perks that will do everything from giving more starting lives (to allow you to play further into the game) to re-arranging the order of the levels to avoid too much repetition or even changing the color layouts on the different levels. This system rewards even a casual session and, at the same time, allows access to the depths of the game at a speed on par with the skill of the player. Though consistent themes for scoring run throughout the game, each level looks unique and redefines the rules for generating points while still providing new challenges and perils.
One of the benefits of having games like this loaded onto your console is the opportunity to jump into a quick game (load times are very minimal) and play a very accessible game while still earning points toward a more serious session yet to come. Considering the download cost of Everyday Shooter is only $10, you get a game that will challenge your precision gaming abilities and offer a glimpse not only into gaming past but also into gaming future, where something as simple as a 2 dimensional arcade game looks like a piece of pure imagination in motion.
4 out of 5 thumbs will not survive
Ubisoft Montreal
Xbox 360/PS3
11.13.2007
Action
The tsunami of hype that preceded the launch of Assassin’s Creed was so massive that it was sure to leave many expectations high and dry once the game actually set sail. An early trailer for the game generated so much chatter in the gaming community that Assassin’s Creed was able to launch this last holiday season and actually stand amongst the many triple-A sequels arriving at the same time. So the conundrum with a new game with so many hopes pinned to its sleeve is how it can establish itself as both new and enjoyable to players while at the same time satisfying all of those towering expectations, because just being a good game at this point isn’t enough. For the most part, Assassin’s Creed achieves this nearly impossible goal, but not without a few crucified opportunities that would have made it an unforgettable title.
The game takes place in a few different Middle Eastern cities during the time period of the crusades. The visual quality of the cities and their virtual inhabitants in Assassin’s Creed is second to none. Go ahead and explore the amazing details for a few hours; you won’t be disappointed. And since your character has Spiderman-like climbing abilities, you’re not just limited to exploring the streets. Every rooftop and tower becomes a new challenge to conquer. Unfortunately, this is the best part of Assassin’s Creed. The fighting mechanics are bare-bones simple and the plot moves at a snail’s pace. Also, the inability to skip over the long animated scenes sent tears of anguish falling onto my controller.
I’m doing my best not to make fun of the horribly tacked on sci-fi understory; that would be too easy. Planning assassinations is fun the first few times, but eventually the repetitiveness in Assassin’s Creed will have you hopping up on the cross just to end the pain. The controls and on-screen display are overly cumbersome, and, at times, feel as if they were designed to make the game at least somewhat challenging. Overall, Assassin’s Creed feels like it went for more wow factor than actual game play, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t at least stop by and check out the amazing scenery.
3 out of 5 ancient people don’t like being stabbed
Everyday Shooter
Queasy Games
PC/PS3
03.29.06
Arcade Action
Since last month’s SLUG Magazine has thrown us all head-first into the fiery volcano that is independent video gaming, I wanted to keep that thread alive with what will hopefully become a monthly glimpse into the erupting chasm of alternative gaming. First up is Everyday Shooter, a game written by Jonathan Mark, originally released on PC and now available for download on the PlayStation Network. Everyday Shooter plays on the same classic principles as Asteroids or Galaxian (static screen, two dimensional) but takes the entire package to new places with unique visuals and a simplistic but very organic solo guitar soundtrack.
What made Everyday Shooter feel unique for me is how replaying the game is the cornerstone to completing it! By playing the game, points are earned that can be saved up to buy perks that will do everything from giving more starting lives (to allow you to play further into the game) to re-arranging the order of the levels to avoid too much repetition or even changing the color layouts on the different levels. This system rewards even a casual session and, at the same time, allows access to the depths of the game at a speed on par with the skill of the player. Though consistent themes for scoring run throughout the game, each level looks unique and redefines the rules for generating points while still providing new challenges and perils.
One of the benefits of having games like this loaded onto your console is the opportunity to jump into a quick game (load times are very minimal) and play a very accessible game while still earning points toward a more serious session yet to come. Considering the download cost of Everyday Shooter is only $10, you get a game that will challenge your precision gaming abilities and offer a glimpse not only into gaming past but also into gaming future, where something as simple as a 2 dimensional arcade game looks like a piece of pure imagination in motion.
4 out of 5 thumbs will not survive
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