Retrospective REVIEW : Borderlands 2

 

 With Borderlands 2 now on the Vita (quality aside), I may as well write a review for one of my top games ever...sunk over 200 hours into this. 

The Setting 

Call me immature, but this is just hilarious.

On the planet of Pandora, the Hyperion corporation has taken it upon itself to clean out the scum of Pandora. This is mostly a front for Handsome Jack (an excellent villain) to find a Vault that contains the Warrior...TIME TO SHOOT AND LOOT. Anyway, you are a new-generation Vault Hunter that is trying to stop Jack from attaining his goals. And it just so happens that almost everything wants to kill you. Basically more loot for you. Krieg is the best. Buzz Axe Rampage. Git it.

The Gameplay 

The solid gameplay given by the first Borderlands has been improved drastically for the sequel. Shootouts are fun, fast and frantic, and you are as susceptible to taking a bullet to the face as your enemies. However, your skills put you a high cut above the competition as your character has a special ability that can (and probably will) turn the tide of every battle. The rewards, besides experience, is the swarm of impending loot that will be dropped by basically everything you can greet with a bullet. Or a chainsaw axe. Have I mentioned how Krieg is the best? Obviously the stronger you get, the better the loot, and the more of a powerhouse the player will become. Get in there and punch a psycho midget.

The Downsides
The only real downsides are no shared loot in co-op. And the Vita version. Yeah, I went there. 
The Verdict

Its been out for years. Why do you not have it? GET IT.

Score : 9/10

REVIEW : Titanfall

 

Yeah, it's late, this review right here. But you can consider this the review encompassing both the next-and-current gen versions. Anyway, without further ado, this game is a ton of fun to play, despite some of the glaring errors in its formula.

The Setting

Yaaaaaaay.

In the far future, the basic gist of things is that Titans and Spectre robots are just as prevalent as the average grunt, with Pilots truly dominating the battlefield. With a war regarding a set region of space between the IMC superpowers and the general Militia, this is mainly an excuse for big fun robot fights. 
The Gameplay
The unique twist on shooters provided by Titanfall is a fine balance between the parkour-focused run and gun Pilots, and the mechanical powerhouses that are piloted by said...Pilots: Titans. This creates a fun cat and mouse scenario, with both sides having their own advantages and downsides. The result is fast paced, large scale battles that end with a small epilogue that ends with the erasure of the enemy team.
The Downsides
There are very few game modes compared to other shooters, the party system is flawed, and the campaign, being the only way to unlock the other Titan frames, is a large disappointment.
The Verdict
Despite the lack of variety in game modes, there is a lot of fun to be had here. Definitely worth a buy if there's a price drop.
Score : 8/10

Oooooh. Exposition for the FUTURE.

Enjoy the music.

REVIEW : Hitman Absolution

 

Now that Games With Gold is stepping up its game, with literally better games, I have resolved to throw in my opinion on the slew of games headed out way. One of the games that caught my eye is this, the game belonging to this simply cool logo right here. Hitman: Absolution is the stealth game I've been looking for but didn't have the money to experience.

The Setting

Agent 47 has been issued a new kill order; his handler, Diana Burnwood. While his past contracts have been strictly professional, this one is personal. Diana's dying wish was for him to rescue a girl named Victoria from suffering the fate of becoming like him. Accepting the responsibility, 47 fins the girl and goes dark, prompting the Agency to take him down and retrieve her. Armed with his Silverballers, some fiber-wire, and his finely honed Instinct, the Hitman prepares for his next mission.

The Gameplay

Those of you looking for a Call of Battlefield : Medal of Warfare-esque experience will be shoo-ed away from this wonderfully crafted stealth experience. Agent 47 moves and preforms like any of the best stealth characters out there(he can SPRINT while crouching), and he can dispose of enemies quickly and efficiently. His special Instinct ability gives him a Batman Detective-like view of his surroundings, highlighting useful items and enemies, giving you an edge in your environment. He can use the same meter in combat, with his Point Shooting execution move, highlighting and sniping targets. He can also utilize disguises to fool people, but can be discovered by people of the same profession.

The Misgivings

The checkpoint system is flawed, ad enemies respawn if you restart. This can either be a godsend or will destroy your entire mission. I wish he could fast-drag enemy bodies if he can be rushed.

The Verdict

This game allows you to creatively dispatch your targets, with a bullet of with an 'accident'. The strong stealth gameplay encourages this.

The Score : 8/10

REVIEW : Assassin's Creed IV - Black Flag

 

A certain person I know *insert inane giggling* happens to like this game, and so I was influenced to write this review instead of some other ideas I had. Also, to kick off the new segment of blog posts for this semester, I will be using a new font and format...I know I'm late leave me alone :( 
The Setting 

That parrot is radical.

Edward Kenway is a pirate. Not an Assassin. A Pirate. Disregard what the promotions told you, the majority of this game will follow Ed's development from a self-centered greed bucket (granted, he's still likable) to a more responsible, generally helpful person. While the main story is definitely interesting, there is enough side activities to do that will introduce you to more cast members, all with their own predicament. That, and there is a whole open map to explore, all with places to raid and loot for yourself. The lovely ship, Jackdaw, will get you wherever you need to go. And you have blades on your arms. Introduce them to a guard's face. 
The Gameplay
Gameplay in Black Flag is almost everything Assassin's Creed 3 had, but better. The innovative naval combat from the last game has been expanded to be your main game element aside from when your avatar is on land. The Jackdaw is your baby ship, and it must be nurtured until its good enough to really decimate the competition. That was a bad example. Later, it will, provided you collect the money, materials, and plans necessary (-jab). The on land gameplay, has become more streamlined, with a vastly improved inventory and the ability to free-aim your four (potentially) pistols. The basic combat is still easy to preform, and the kill animations are very satisfying. Especially when you get the special pistol swords (-jab2).
The Misgivings
There are a few unfortunate bugs within the game. Sometimes when you try to escape combat, but are then forced to re-engage, it's hard to acquire a target without getting attacked first. Also, detection from enemies is sometimes wonky, but this is rare.
The Verdict
It's better than Assassin's Creed 3. Take that as you will.  
The Score :  9/10

REVIEW : The World Ends With You - Solo Remix

 

TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY TWEWY
Th3 S3tt1ng 4nd 5t0ry
Neku Sakuraba wakes up in the scramble crossing of Shibuya, Tokyo with no recollection of how he got there. Upon realizing that he is invisible to the populace, the game's cannon fodder, Noise, start to attack in hopes of erasing him from existence. Forced to make a partner pact to survive, he now must deal with the Noise...and his partner. Did I mention that he hates people?
Th3 G43mpl4y
Neku utilizes psych pins to fight, as well fighting in sync with his partner which varies over the three weeks he survives through. If he coordinates his attacks with his partner, he will get a sync boost, which increases damage and fuels the Fusion finisher pin. There are even three separate Fusion attacks per partner, with patience and handing out beatdowns will make stronger over time. Combine that with extra modes and the ultimate sets (for example, the Path to Eden, which sounds radical), and you have a great time to look forward to.
Wh4t'5 Wr0ng W1th Th3 G4m3
NOTHING AT ALL.
Th3 V3rd1ct

If you like games like Ghost Trick and Ace Attorney, the style here will immediately appeal to you. Git it. GIT IT.

  Score : 9.5/10

REVIEW : Dead Rising 3

 

 Since I could care less about the 'console war', I have realized that a lot of people in my class are supporting Sony, rather than both consoles...how quaint.

The Setting and Story

Better than WWF?

You play as Nick Ramos, an unfortunate mechanic who was stuck in the city of Los Perdidos when a zombie outbreak just happened to occur. After finding out about an old plane that can be repaired, it's up to you to sort out how to escape, and whether you should smash the zombie or get it into a hammer-throw special move. Pretty basic, I know, but the fun is worth it.


The Gameplay

Its the closest thing to a new MegaMan game that you'll get...

IT'S TUXEDO MASK!!

Gameplay as been improved vastly compared to earlier Dead Rising games, with light and heavy attacks being mapped to two different buttons this time around. The highlight of the game are obviously the combo weapons, which are a joy to find and create on the fly. Such examples are a battleaxe that talks to you, a flaming scythe that throws out exploding skulls, or even Mega-Man's X-Buster. You still have to option to humiliate Nick by putting him in cool outfits, or even a mariachi uniform, if you please. With the addition of a sprint button, it's even easier to get into a street fight, or to escape if you aren't up to the challenge. Psychopaths are still in the game, which are mini-bosses based on the "Seven Deadly Sins".
What's Wrong With The Game
The amount of zombies onscreen is incredible, but at the cost of graphical quality and stablility. The framerate also will drop sometimes, but very rarely.
The Verdict
This game was a rollicking good time, and I still haven't found all the combo weapons blueprints. The X-Buster is totally worth it.
Score: 8/10