Disney Epic Mickey Game Review

Mickey Mouse was once an icon loved by all, he was in countless animated films and shorts, even some great video games. His fall from grace has seen his reputation slowly taken away from him, he is no longer the household name which captured the hearts of everyone back in his early days. Mickey is more of a corporate symbol these days, rather than an actual character. He is on merchandise all over the world but he has been in fewer films and he has had a notable absence from the video game industry for quite a while now. It's a shame to see a once beloved character reduced to this, however, Disney Epic Mickey may just be his ticket back to the top.

In developing Disney Epic Mickey, Warren Spector and his newly-formed Junction Point team sought out to recapture the magical feeling Mickey used to portray. The game manages to show one thing above all else, Mickey is just as capable, if not more, at supporting a Pixar-like adventure which not only amazes us with it's spectacle and design but tugs at our heart with it's strong character development and remarkable love for Disney lore. While there is allot holding this game back from being a truly great game, the passion the developers clearly had while making this game is enough to provide us with an utterly brilliant story and some delightful nostalgic moments worth our money.

PokePark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure Game Review

The Pokemon franchise has seen huge amounts of success on hand-held systems in the past few years, but never really impressing on any main console. Though there are Pokemon games on the Wii, none are worth you're time or hard earned money. PokePark Wii is the latest instalment of the franchise to hit the Nintendo Wii and this time it might just be worth a look. This little RPG is heavy on mini-games and while it is directed at the younger audience, it can still provide a fun enjoyable experience for anyone.

You're magical adventure begins when the Legendary Mew seeks out Pikachu and his friends, Chikorita, Charmander, and Piplup to help save the PokePark from certain destruction. Former friends and rulers of the PokePark regions, Venusaur, Blaziken, and Empoleon have drifted apart and the lack of friendship has shattered the Sky Prism, scattering it's pieces all throughout the land. The Sky Prism is what keeps the Sky Pavilion (Magical fortress in the heavens, Mew's home) floating. If this was to fall it would crush all the Pokemon bellow, so this is a very serious issue in the world of Pokemon.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 Game Review

Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the sequel to one of the best games you will ever play, this means it has a lot to live up to and i am pleased to tell you it matches the brilliance of the first game, even exceeding it in certain areas. Some of the most creative and Imaginative level designs you will ever see in a video game are beautifully brought to life with the vibrant bold colours. The immense variety of enemies, power-ups, and worlds make this a truly unique expirience and sets this game apart from any other 3D platformer on the Wii, maybe even the world.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 uses the same game engine, same controls, and same basic concept which made the first game such a hit with fans around the world. The developers found out what did and did not work with the first game and they have managed to use this to create another masterful game which offers one of the most fun and fulfilling experiences of our generation.

The original Super Mario Galaxy was a game built on creativity, everything felt unique and looked marvellous. They took the traditional 3D platformer and turned it into a perfect example of what games should be about. Players had the ability to roam standard Mario-style levels to miniature planetoids with their own orbital gravity, while still utilizing the same familiar gameplay mechanics.

Fable III Game Review

When Fable II hit stores fans were left slightly disappointed, expecting more. Fable III is everything Fable II should have been, It takes everything it's predecessor did so well and improves on it to create one of the best RPG's of the year so far. Fable III is much more streamline, accessible, and most importantly enjoyable than it's predecessor. The game is much more than just a refined version of the second game in the series, it's innovative and provides some emotional moments that will have players glued to their television sets for hours.

A half-century has past since the events of Fable II and Albion is now faced with the Industrial Age, with it comes oppression, depression, despair, and hunger. Children work in factory's while beggars line the smog-filled streets. The throne of Albion now belongs to the son of Fable II's hero, squeezing the life out of his citizens and leaving the world with a feeling of hopelessness, Albion is in need of a new hero. Your duty, as the brother or sister of the king, is to gather the masses and build an army large enough to take the kingdom from this ruthless tyrant, restoring hope to the people of Albion.

Limbo Game Review

Games are beginning to turn into a form or art and Limbo is the latest game to catch the eye of the gaming world with it's film noir style graphical direction. The game produces no dialogue, no text, and gives no explanation. It's hard to imagine how this can then be called "Art" by the critics in the gaming industry and be considered one of the best games of the year. The fact is Limbo manages to communicate everything that it needs to say without saying a single word, using the setting, Sound, and Environment to create an atmosphere that is almost unmatched by any other 2D Puzzle Platformer i have ever played. On top of all this the ending is one of the greatest moments in recent gaming history.

In Limbo you take control of a young boy after he wakes up in a dark forest. There is no indication of how you got there, why your there, or where you should go. You don't even know who you are. You set out on your journey and you find out very soon that this is a very dangerous unforgiving world you are in, your motivation at this point is to find a way out of this forest. The game has no unnecessary cut scenes or loading times, it's just you locked in this horrific atmospheric world unaware of what lies beyond your next step. The game manages to lure you into it's unique environment, isolating you from anything else.

Super Meat Boy Game Review

Super Meat Boy is the definition of a traditional 2D platformer. Gameplay boils down to nothing but running and jumping, this might seem like very little but when you think of games like Mario and Sonic you begin to realise anything is possible with these building blocks. Meat Boy's goal is always the same, make it from point A to point B in order to rescue his love (Bandage Girl) who has been captured by the evil Dr Fetus (crazy Baby in a jar). This of course is no easy task, and can be very challenging when faced with the numerous obstacles in your way, like a Buzzsaw, Spike, or a Monsters Jaw, each of which will splatter Meat Boy into a thousand bloody pixels if he comes into the slightest of contact with any of them. The reminder of your previous failed attempts will be noticed as you try again to manoeuvre the obstacles, this time while looking at the blood you have already spilled.

With a game like Super Meat Boy the biggest and most important aspect of the game is the controls. Meat Boy feels great to control, he is the perfect weight and speed and the developers managed to make him feel just as he should. Beginners won't take too long before mastering Meat Boy's movements and being able to judge his movement with precision.

EA Sports MMA Game Review

When it comes to Mixed Martial Arts THQ's UFC series is leading the way, but with EA Sports deciding to dive into the octagon what can we expect for their first attempt with EA Sports MMA. While EA lack the big-name license, they still manage to provide a great roster of fighters along side solid gameplay and most importantly a game which feels as brutal as the sport itself.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) it's a sport which pits two men against each other much like Boxing, the difference is due to the lack of rules the fight is more of a no-holds-barred affair. Each fighter is placed inside an octagon, or Boxing ring with a pair of gloves (smaller than traditional Boxing gloves) and the action begins. Unlike Boxing the action can take place on the ground as well as the standing game, this allows for different forms of fighting to compete with each other. You will use traditional Boxing techniques alongside Muay Thai, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Judo, Sambo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate and much more to defeat your opponent. The sport is immensely varied and allows players to be whatever type of fighter they want to be. This also helps create very interesting matches between two opposing styles.

(EA Sports MMA Middleweights)

Kirby's Epic Yarn Game Review

Games back in the 80's and early 90's were all about 2D platforming, perfecting these types of games is what had everyone talking at the time. Games like Mario, Sonic, Earthworm Jim and much more contained us to our basement for hours every day. Then the 3D era of gaming came along and everyone's focus was shifted into a new direction. Lately we have seen a resurgence of what made us spend 90% of our childhood's in a basement, 2D platforming games.

2010 has already produced some spectacular 2D platforming games, some are new and fresh while others dive back into time and recapture the magic of past classic franchises. For me personally the three stand out games so far are Limbo, Super Meat Boy, and Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 1. Sonic we all know and love and it's great to see him return to his former glory while Limbo and Meat Boy are new classics worthy of rivalling any of our old beloved franchises. Kirby is the latest to continue with this string of 2D platforming games and delivers yet another fantastic game.

Kirby's Epic Yarn is a unique platformer which enhances all that is great about 2D side scrollers and uses it to create one of the best games of the year. Epic Yarn is a game full of charm, Kirby is always cute and delightful to control but it's the design of the game which is so enchanting. Epic Yarn is a game which uses anything you would expect to find in an arts and crafts store to create one of the most unique environments ever seen in a side scroller. Yarn, string, and buttons are the items used to create the building blocks for this unique and wonderful world.