Category Archives: Review

Anime, Corpse Party, Corpse Party review, Corpse Party: Blood Covered, PC, Review, Steam, visual novel

Corpse Party: Review

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The horrors of Corpse Party make their way to the PC.  Originally a Japan only release, the original version of Corpse Party hit North America April 25th, 2016 for the very reasonable price of $14.99.

Story
After the school festival Kisargi Academy’s class 2-9 must say goodbye to their cherished classmate who is transferring schools.  To always stay together -in spirit, anyway- they perform the Sachiko Ever After charm.  Unfortunately, the charm is a ritual that transports the eight students and their teacher to the separate nirvana of Heavenly Host Elementary school: a school that looks like, well, a corpse party. As you play through the game you experience horrors that have taken place in Heavenly Host Elementary School and hope your characters make it out alive. Descriptive passages and complex puzzles make the game a horrifying, yet challenging experience.  Through the game, you must discover the mysteries and events that occurred within the walls of the Heavenly Host in an attempt to make your escape.

Graphics

Graphics are presented in 2D sprite graphics and 16-bit style, with top down game play and hand drawn anime-style portraits. Unlike the remastered PSP version, character design does not look fully finessed and you don’t get those extra creepy shots that make your skin crawl.  Sorry, there also aren’t any fan service shots either. The gore also isn’t overly visually represented.  Most of the text guides you through the grotesque so the graphic simplicity works well with the visual novel style of storytelling.

Audio/Music
Corpse Party includes the original sound track and voice acting.  For those who have played Corpse Party: Blood Covered on the PSP you’ll note some subtle differences with voice portrayal and characteristics, some original voices are better (Morishige), and some make you appreciate Blood Covered (Ayumi). Background music fits the tone of the story, and when you get those horrible moments of silence you can’t help but wish for the background music to kick back in.  Floors creak, ghosts echo ominously through the building; tension is built very well throughout the game. Even as an experienced Corpse Party player myself, the music still gets my heart racing. The best way to play this game is with a set of headphones in dark room… if you dare.

Replay ValueWhat I love the most about Corpse Party games is that they are not easy.  One wrong move and it’s a horrific end for your character.  Even after having played the game before, I still managed to get a wrong end! For the completionist, you’ll find yourself trying to obtain all the endings; wrong or right. And trust me, there are 20 different endings to experience. For those new to the franchise; good luck! You’ll be more than satisfied knowing you made your way to the end after all those horrible, horrible wrong endings.

Verdict
The original PC version of the game is the best choice for players not interested in the overly extensive back story and character development. Even without the creepy anime portrait cut scenes, the dialogue and description is so well done, your imagination fills in the gaps for you. Essentially, you get the game without all the filler which is nice when you just, you know, want to play the game.

Are you brave enough to face the ghosts and horrors or Heavenly Host Elementary School? Let us know what you think!

Organic Panic, Review, Video Game Review, Video Games

Review: Organic Panic!, Destruction, Puzzles, and… Food?

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Puzzle, Platforming, Destruction…..FOOD?

The battle between organic and processed foods moves to the next level in Organic Panic!  Play as fresh organic vegetables and get past the evil meat and cheeses in this new 2.5 puzzle platform.  Your objective: destroy all enemies, collect the diamonds, and make it to the exit!

Story
The story, which is told through a series of comics, follows organic fruits out to destroy the evil processed food franchise.  However, the story isn’t really a central part to the game, but rather gives the playable characters a back story so you never wonder, “Why the hell am I playing as a carrot that shoots fire?”

Gameplay

Gameplay is the best feature of the game.  The DAFT (Destruction and Fluid Technology) physics engine allows you to interact with the environment as a real world environment. Ice melts, lava will burn you, and enemies will drown if you fill the stage with water.  The DAFT element adds more depth to the puzzles because everything is destructible which can, of course, work for or against you. Each puzzle is well thought out and introduces new elements to the game with each stage. You can switch your character, figure out how to get two characters across the stage, leap through portals, and so much more!

 A variety of modes are also available in the game. You can play solo or with up to four friends.  In co-op mode you work with your friends utilizing each unique character ability to reach the end. The more you learn your character, the easier it is to work together and clear the stage.  Or, you can duke it in the VS mode, finding fun ways to blow each other up.  Of course, you may not be friends by the end of the night, but that’s a risk you take every time you play against each other in any game.

Visuals
Visuals are reminiscent of Worms and Lemmings.  Graphics take on a nostalgic essence and are an excellent mix between 3D and 2D.  Stages generally feel small, but the obstacles challenge you to think of how to best use the course and character.  Items, power ups, and obstacles stand out well enough for you to figure your way through each puzzle. 

Verdict

If you love puzzle games, this is definitely one to add to your collection.  Beginning levels teach you how to play the game and gradually increase in difficulty.  Once you’re a pro, you’ll find yourself wanting to go back to complete the level or beat your score.  It’s not  game that keeps you on edge, but it’s a great way to waste time.  If I could ask for anything more from this game, I’d ask for a creation mode where I can create my own puzzles.  But hey, there’s always Mario Maker, right?

You can find Organic Panic! on Xbox One, Playstation 4 and Steam. Be sure to check it out and let us know what you think!
Fighting game, game review, Pokemon, Pokken Tournament, Review, Wii U

Review Pokken Tournament : Is This A Real Pokemon Battle?

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Is This A Real Pokemon Battle?

I bet you have been wondering, is Pokken Tournament a real fighting game? Does it live up to expectations knowing Bandia Namco developed it, or is this another one of those Naruto Fighting game clones? Well lets find out if it’s the best bang for your bucks with our review.

Visuals
The presentation of Pokken tournament is as beautiful as ever, porting its way from the arcade to the Wii U. Not once did the frame rate drop,with its crisp, colorful 1080p resolution scenery and smooth 60 fps frame rate, Pokken delivers a stunning visual look and feel for players. Aside from the visuals from the gameplay, the menu layouts were as colorful and easy to use, giving you the feel from any other Pokemon  game to date. On the downside, when you end up playing local battles with one console the frame rate does drop down to 30fps dropping visual value, but Pokken does offer a solution for this with the LAN play option, bringing it back up to the original 60fps frame rate.

Sound/Audio
With an original soundtrack and the sounds from the battles, Pokken players will have the feel of a new Pokemon game in their hands. From players first step into a match, to the sounds in battle, it’s like competing in a real Pokemon tournament. Outside of the matches, the voice acting is what is to be expected of any dubbed Pokemon game. Besides an advisor that has a mediocre voice actor constantly giving advice, the rest of the story characters are a perfect fit right in the Pokemon universe.

Gameplay
Pokken Tournament is not your typical fighting game nor is it the Pokemon games you’re used too, but rather a new experience for fans. Whether you’re digging into the Ferrum League’s Story, or just hitting the Practice tutorials, the roster of 17 characters and the 30 support characters will welcome old and new comers to the franchise. With 5 game modes, new mechanics, a customization option for your trainer and the fast connecting online battles, Pokken gives players a full game experience. With the leveling up system, you can build your Pokemon to the stats you like, and even tweak them if you are not satisfied. Pokken also introduces the synergy system, This is a meter that is filled up while doing damage in battle. Once the synergy meter fills up you are able to go into a synergy burst, which will unlock more potential from your Pokemon along with a powerful special cinematic move. Pokken also introduces a new support character system which has a meter system as well. Unlike the synergy meter, the support meter is filled over time, once its filled you can call out your support character to; help deal damage, heal, or stat boost your the opponent and your character. During battles your are also introduced to the shields, counter attack and grabs. Shields are very useful for blocking attacks except for the punishing grabs, and the counter attack is an attack that has a temporary shield while attacking and will assist you when you opponent has you in a situation you normally wouldn’t be able to get out of.

Verdict

Pokken Tournament doesn’t fail to deliver. With the beautiful original soundtrack, smooth menu layouts, fast combat system, and new mechanics, Pokken tournament will have players coming back for more. The only downside, Pokken doesn’t offer a full 60fps local multiplayer experience, unless you have two copies of the game and two consoles. Other than that Pokken Tournament is a must have for Wii U owners and Pokemon fans, and yes, it does feel worthy of the label “fighting game”.

Thank you for reading our review, do you agree with our verdict?  What are your thoughts on Pokken Tournament? 
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Assassins Creed, Assassins Creed Chronicles India Review, Gaming News, Review, Ubisoft

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India Review

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Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India Review
By UNDED



Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India is the second game out of three that are to be released by developer Ubisoft. Following the lead of China, India is a stealth heavy 2.5D side-scroller that, like the name suggests, takes place in India. Being that it’s not a huge leap from the direction Ubisoft has taken with the series, expect this review to be shorter. Not much has changed, but enough has that this review is warranted.

Assassin’s Creed game without some kind of ancient artifact; that role is filled by the Koh-l-Noor Diamond. As you start the game, you’re chasing tail in the Princess Pyara. Maybe it’s because it’s an Assassin’s Creed game, or maybe I just have no interest in Indian culture (not likely), but the story was an incredible snore. Never have I wanted to get through the story driven cut scenes in a game so quickly. An artifact is being fought over by the Assassins and Templars. Templars steal/kill someone important to the main character –we’ve all been here before.

Taking place in 1841 in Amitsar India, you play as new protagonist Arbaaz Mir. This wouldn’t be an

 

The gameplay is good. It’s not phenomenal or ground breaking. It’s adequate, but just barely. More often than not, you feel that Arbaaz moves incredibly slow for the kind of game this is. The gameplay is standard stealth side scroller; people walk on ‘tracks’ and you have to sneak past them or kill them, hiding in the shadows in the process. So many times I would go to move past or distract a guard, and as soon as I moved in for the kill, the guard would turn around and I would be exposed. The OCD in me makes it so I can’t get past certain situations without non-lethally killing everyone (it’s one of my favorite things in stealth games, to take the harder route for a better reward). However in India, I got stuck a lot. One particular situation I was getting so pist because of how he moves I had to break this rule and kill everyone after being stuck for over an hour. There’s a way to accomplish passing those guards without killing them, I got close a few times. But the controls suck.  

Indian music has never been something I like listening to. Never has been. That being said, I feel like Ubisoft took incredible liberties to make India sound genuine. The main theme can be heard on YouTube; I highly recommend checking it out. Not only does it sound well-orchestrated, it sounds modern. They’ve emulated classic Indian style music, throwing in a guitar or two to keep things fresh. To a fault though. If you’ve played Assassin’s Creed Chronicles China, you’ll recognize the undertones. For a game set in India, it’ll start to sound a little Chinese if you listen for too long.

My biggest praise for India hands down, goes to the art style. It is gorgeously rendered in an almost cell-shaded palette. This works out great for the game. From the deep crimsons to the gold yellows, the colors just stand out. This works in your favor when you’re trying to sneak past guards in front of the light brown background, you never lose sight of your target. Even more so, the cut scenes are all told through water-color ‘paintings’. They are lightly animated for effect, but they really don’t need to be. Faces come out a little crude, but I still found these paintings to be rather exquisite. I don’t remember the last time I took so many screenshots of a game. I could honestly see myself paying for a poster or two of them. 

Summary
  Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India is not a good game. Even for the cheap $10 price for admission, it is not worth your time. The game is the most beautiful I’ve seen in years and the soundtrack is great, but the gameplay hinders. The very heart of any game -the controls- just aren’t as responsive or as fluid as they should be. I am disappointed, especially after Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China was such a breath of fresh air. China won my vote for Game of the Year, and maybe that raised the bar too high for India to ever hope to reach, but if you can’t get the gameplay right you’re just setting yourself up for failure. After a few hours into the game, it literally gives you an “Invisibility” button. That has to be the laziest choice of game design I have ever seen. There is one more Assassins Creed coming to the 2.5D style to complete the trilogy (Russia), but after the way India dropped the ball, I can’t promise you’ll see a thirdChronicles review. 
Need for Speed, Need for Speed Review, Review

Need for Speed Review

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Need for Speed Review
By UNDED

Following the trend of recent remakes, Need for Speed looks to bring back the intensive nostalgia fans have for entries in the series as far back as PS2. Being that the landscape has changed with the inclusion of DLC, live updates, and online connectivity, developers had their work cut out for them. Did they finish first? No. No they didn’t.

The story follows you, as an unnamed driver, making his way up the reputation ladder. You’re quickly introduced to a slew of horribly acted, forgettable characters. The NPC’s are the stuff of daytime TV dramas, regurgitating jokes and one liners from your favorite stereotypical 90’s punk. At one point I swore the dialogue in N4S was written by a soccer mom trying one last desperate time to convince her kids she’s ‘the cool mom’. Each character has their own street racing discipline, and that’s how I’ve learned to associate each character with the races I’d be doing.

The graphics are both good and bad at the same time. The actual gameplay is pretty good. You’d think this locale (whose name is just as unforgettable as everything else in N4S) is set under a tsunami with the level of water in the game. Everything is wet! I know this was a conscious choice to show off the graphics, but everything shines in your face; not the smartest choice for a racing game. Now, even though everything is watered down, they do water very well. The wet street reflects light realistically. Water speckles on your windshield. This generation is obsessed with particular effects and N4S is no different. When you drift you kick up dirt on your screen and police lights flash on the bottom of your screen. It all looks great, if not a little overdone. Now for the bad, the cut scenes are live-action. In any older N4S you could get away with this, but in 2015, when the creators of Paranormal Activity themselves finished their series because of found footage fatigue, this just looks lazy. On top of that the developers have placed cars in the cut scenes using pseudo augmented reality. I’m not saying these models don’t look good, but if they think their cars are on par with Forza, I’m so sorry for them. Going from terribly acted people to a water world is very jarring, and more distracting than anything else.

Racing in the game during a tense moment is generally accompanied by a heart pounding orchestral set; in those moments it worked. I was as close to the TV as I could get, taking in every turn and pass with care, trying to finish first. When you’re not in these moments though, which is the majority of the game, you are attacked by the most annoying music you could ever imagine. I know these are actual tracks from actual artists so I won’t be making any friends with that last comment, but this is N4S dammit! So many games in the past have nailed the in-game music. I was surprised that this one dropped the ball. I can tell you exactly what corner I was taking in Need for Speed Underground when “The Only” by Static-X came on. That was one of the most memorable experiences of my career with racing games, thanks to a single song that pushed me to the finish line. N4S is, sadly, missing that.

Gameplay is where N4S shines the most –for a short period of time anyway. Taking a page out of the racing sim book, you are constantly reminded to tune your ride. When I chose my first ride and hit the streets, I almost immediately returned the game. I’ve NEVER come close to doing that before. The reason? The steering on my car was completely fucked! If I was turning and held the direction for too long, when I let it go I would keep going in that direction. It was a weird kind of lag that pissed me off so bad. But, I took the games advice, installing a sway bar and tuning it. It still ‘lagged’ a little, but I could at least play it. It would be another 6 hours before I could learn how to properly drift. For a game that boasts to be an arcade style racer, it sure as hell doesn’t feel like it. The biggest problem is that the missions aren’t diverse. There are maybe 5 types of races and the Style and Crew disciplines are so similar they could have been consolidated.

*sigh*… In the grand scheme of things, N4S is not a bad game. As much as I wanted to love this game, there is just too much wrong with it. The learning curve to driving, the incredibly distracting music with no controls to choose specific songs you don’t want to hear, the flashing lights that could (no joke) induce a seizure (you’ve been warned), and the odd choice to make cut scenes live-action, N4S caters to everyone and no one at the same time. If you must play this game, either Redbox it, or wait until it’s half price.