Realm Media Networks - Reviews

Impressions: Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3

Ryan Klemick — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:00:58 -0700

Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 is a new Xbox Live Arcade release from Capcom that packs quite a punch to the senses. With bright and colorful visuals and crisp, accurate audio your eyes and ears will be under a full on assault from the first moments you hit the beach.

Review: Lost Planet: Extreme Condition COLONIES EDITION

Luke Wallace — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:11:49 -0700

Many games are released in different editions. Collectors Edition, Ultimate Edition, Barnyard Edition, whatever. Usually these editions involve different packaging, a bonus comic book or artwork, or maybe even a figurine. After a game has been released and sells well, it may even be re-released in a "Game of the Year" Edition, or in the case of Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, the COLONIES EDITION. There have been a few changes to the game since its original release, but are those changes enough to tempt new consumers? Read the full review below to find out!

Review: Teenage Zombies: Invasion of the Alien Brain Thingys

Luke Wallace — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:45:52 -0700

Aliens and Zombies have been staple characters in video games almost since they first began. Space Invaders taught us to kill anything we saw that we didn't understand, and countless zombie games like House of the Dead taught us that as long as we didn't know the people before they were zombies, we had no problem shooting them in the face. Zombies and Aliens both appear in the new title Teenage Zombies: Attack of the Alien Brain Thingys (TZ:AotABT) for the Nintendo DS, but you play as a trio of zombies trying to destroy the evil brain... thingys.

Review: Rocky & Bullwinkle

Luke Wallace — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:27:22 -0700

Whenever people talk about mini-game collections these days, the games likely end up being for the Nintendo Wii. However, a new mini-game collection has recently come to the Xbox Live Arcade in the form of Rocky & Bullwinkle. Can a traditional controller bring as much fun to the living room as a motion-sensing remote control? Let's take a look at this mini-game collection from a few different perspectives, and find out.

The Rocky & Bullwinkle Enthusiast
On the surface, this game sounds like a great fan service to all the Moose & Squirrel fans that like mini-games. Unfortunately, the graphics don't have the same endearing quality as the original TV programs. All the characters are here, but they won't animate the same way they did on the show, and none of the characters actually talk. Audio clips play at the beginning of each mini-game, but no video from the original series plays except in short, soundless montages at the beginning of each "show."

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Review: Rocketmen: Axis of Evil

Ryan Klemick — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:50:10 -0700

They say you cannot judge a book by its cover, so I guess sometimes you cannot judge an Xbox Live Arcade title by its demo. Rocketmen: Axis of Evil is one such title. What seems dull at first look became an addicting romp through a colorful world of action packed adventure.

The first two levels included in the demo give you some idea of the weapons available, the enemies you will face and the gameplay that you will experience. I cannot explain exactly when I started to like the game, but I do know that a large part of it is the RPG element of upgrading your weapons and character through loot and experience points. Enemies drop three different types of 'money' which can be used for armor, weapons and secondary items between missions. The XP you earn allows you to improve the stats for your Rocketman (or woman). I played enough to fully upgrade my Rocketwoman , and it is quite a joy to blast through endless waves of enemies when you are at your quickest and toughest.

Click the read more link below for the rest of the review

Combo Review: Bomberman Land Wii vs. Bomberman Land Touch! 2

Luke Wallace — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:29:29 -0800

When a game publisher has a popular franchise, they will often coordinate the release of the next installment across multiple platforms. Such is the case with Bomberman Land, which recently saw the release of games for the Wii, DS, and PSP. The games are meant to follow similar story lines, but the controls and game mechanics can be very different. After spending time with both the Wii and DS versions of Bomberman Land, one clearly stood out as more fun, and less frustrating. Even though they both are a collection of mini-games, and both retail for $29.99, one of them is clearly the wiser investment. Want to know which one? Click the "read more" link below for the full review.

Review: Super Mario Galaxy brings whimsy back

Luke Wallace — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:39:45 -0800

Super Mario Galaxy was touted as the "spiritual successor" to Super Mario 64, referring to the style of gameplay, and variety found in the level design. After just a few minutes of playing, it's easy to see why the claim was made. With an expansive 3D world - not limited to a track, court, or playing field - and a non-linear level progression, the experience can be as unique as desired. With the game being under development for many years, everyone is expecting it to be good. But how well does it really do? Click "read more" below to read the full review.

Review: DK Jungle Climber

Luke Wallace — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 18:54:19 -0700

The control scheme from DK: King of Swing returns in the sequel, DK Jungle Climber for the Nintendo DS, along with a few new surprises. Besides the obviously new dual-screen action, there are challenge modes, multiplayer minigames, and the addition of Diddy Kong as a sidekick for the entire adventure. Cranky Kong is back to guide you on your journey, and you'll meet friends and enemies along the way. How well does the story hold up, and can the controls provide the precision necessary to make the game fun instead of frustrating? Click "read more" below to read the full review.

Review: Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day

Luke Wallace — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 07:58:44 -0700

Last year's hit Nintendo DS title Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day received many favorable reviews, and was considered a huge success due to its wide acceptance and low cost to develop. Using the same formula of daily training and brain age checks, Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day continues the series with some new exercises, but will the changes be good your brain, or bad? Click the Read more link below for the full review.

Video Games Live romanticizes the Interactive Arts in a sprirted and unique concert

Jeff Greeson — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:51:25 -0700

The video game industry has been under so much scrutiny in the past few months. With the topics of violence and addiction making headlines, the general public has been bombarded with so much negativity that the video games industry is constantly being watched with a leery eye. As society and media remain controlled by those who have eschewed video games, the public perception of video games is largely met with a sense of misunderstanding. In steps a savior, a diminutive man merely in height, one who is filled with such a fiery passion for music and video games that projects into his persona. From the moment you first meet Tommy Tallarico, you are impressed with his warmth and his appreciation of your impending experience of his vision. You also see a bit of a rock star quality in Tallarico as he often appears on television and is noted for his polarizing personality.

If you are at all familiar with the G4 Network, Tallarico is a featured personality for several of the shows and events the network airs. Many people have a strong opinion of Tallarico, but you clearly notice that he isn’t fazed by what other people think and continues to do things his way. For Tallarico, Video Games Live is not just a concert featuring video game music; it is a chance for him to share his experience and vision of the video game industry with the zeal and rock star quality that he embodies. For two nights at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Tallarico had his chance to evangelize his vision to the people of Dallas as many famous religious speakers had preceded him before in similar settings.

Click the read more link below for the rest of the feature.