First things... sorry I missed you all (anyone?) last week when I actually couldn't write the releases. If there is anyone out there reading this, and hopefully enjoying this then welcome back. Business as usual, let's have a look at those interesting releases for this Friday!
1) Scribblenauts: DS
2) Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story: DS
3) Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days: DS
4) Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising: PS3, 360, PC
5) Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Republic Heroes: Wii, PS3, 360, PC, DS, PSP
What can I say?
If you have a DS your day has come. Three top titles that all deserve your attention!
If you haven't heard of Scribblenauts then where have you been? Hmmmm? Don't worry you're forgiven. What is the game?
A positive step further into innovation within computer games, this one is an important one if not perfect. This feat in itself is also one of the game's largest shortcomings but is not enough to distract from the fun that can be had.
Throughout the game you are able to write a word on the screen and the game will summon that object. Yes it really does happen and it happens really well. You can also do a lot with that object with the main aim being to get past the level you are in of course. With the ability to summon a massive amount of objects as well as write your own levels this will be one game you will hold on to for a long time and should be one on the little one's Christmas lists! I would not worry about that 12 rating, it's only down to cartoon violence. Yes you can club things!
Keeping with the DS, the latest RPG installment in the Mario series is another one that should not be missed. These titles are easily the most captivating of the beloved Mario titles. If you've played the Superstar Saga or any of the Paper Mario titles then you probably already have this on pre order.
The elaborate stories that they come up with this Mario series are wonderful and hilarious. You spend most of your time inside Bowser's body trying to find help and break free while trying to stop the impending doom that your captor may bring! There are key moments of very clever puzzles and fantastic character dialogue. As always the character and environment design is fantastic, despite being stuck in a gigantic dinosaur for at least half of the game!
Kingdom Hearts gets third place because I've really enjoyed the past titles and based upon previews I'm really looking forward to this. But I haven't played it so I can't really talk about it!
Fourth place. Operation Flashpoint is again a great title for those who liked the earlier ones. Take note it's not developed by the original team (much to their annoyance) but is instead from the publisher Codemasters. Now don't get me wrong it's very well made and the multiplayer proved to be a lot of fun. (I played the PC version) I just don't have the time anymore for wartime shooters, they're getting tiring, repetitive and only few (Call of Duty) really stand out and are actually worth buying. Yet if you're twiddling your thumbs waiting for the next Modern Warfare and you really need something to keep you going then go for it.
Fifth place. Please don't hate me. This isn't a good week not to have a DS or to be a Star Wars fan. I haven't played the portable or (promising) Wii version, I've played the 360 version.
What's good? Erm, well you certainly feel like you're in the Star Wars universe, the music and sound is good!
What's bad? The graphics looked like the game has been converted from the PS2. The story is uninteresting. The accomplice Ahsoka is so completely annoying. The game mechanics are clever on paper and clumsy in execution. Some will find it difficult to even figure out how to kill the first boss on the tutorial mission. Others will find themselves constantly falling off the screen.
Who knows, maybe by the time I bring myself to finish the game I will have grown to like it. However with the poorly finished mechanics, terrible graphics and boring story I just don't know if I could even subject someone else to playing it with me on co op.
However, against all this I will be writing a family gaming article on it soon! Maybe I can get hold of the Wii version and see what the lightsabre controls are like.
Keep touching those screens!
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