Andrew Sztein
Don't get me wrong, I love video games, but I find most of them represent junk food for the mind. You pop the game in, you shut your brain off, have some fun, and you don't really come out any richer from the experience. Shoot some enemies, solve a puzzle or two, and then put the game out of your mind forever. Read More.
It's that time of year again.
Like clockwork for the last two decades or so, EA has put out an improved version of last year's hockey title. Unlike in years past, with minor enhancements and upgrades from edition to edition, EA has put out a hockey title that plays so well, offers so many options, and is so incredibly deep, you may never buy another hockey video game again. Read More.
As someone who has purchased the latest hockey video game every season since NHL 94, I sometimes feel like a real sucker for falling for this sort of thing. Essentially we are paying for a full priced game every year just for a few minor enhancements and roster updates. Read More.
As someone who spent their high school years playing the Gran Turismo series on the PlayStation One, I can safely say that I'm burnt out from the repetitive nature of the hardcore racing sim. Going through a hundred hours of hardcore physics and minute car tuning hasn't really changed since the glory days of Gran Turismo 2, and I don't think I'm the only one who has lost interest in the genre. Read More.
This may have just been a nightmare I had, but with the release of Guitar Hero 17: Hanson and Rock Band: Nickelback, I have been wondering where the music genre can really go from here. The shredding of plastic guitars which only a few years ago seemed so novel and exciting has gone exceedingly stale. Read More.
As far as this reviewer is concerned, few games in this hardware generation were as fun and memorable as EA's Dead Space. The combination of intense action, frightening atmosphere, light RPG elements, and fantastic universe all came together to create a gaming experience like few that I have ever experienced. Read More.
Wolfenstein is a rarity in the world of gaming. Sure, first person shooters based in World War II that have you blasting wave after wave of Nazis are a penny a dozen, but that's not what I'm talking about. As one of the major franchise players in the genesis of the first person shooter genre, it's absolutely surprising that this franchise hasn't been run into the ground with constant yearly updates and expansion packs. Read More.
Now here's a game based on a Michael Bay film if ever there was one. However, while Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen stunk up multiplexes earlier this summer with its idiotic storyline, terrible acting; overblown special effects, and an interminable runtime, the video game adaptation is a surprisingly fun romp. Read More.
If there was ever a game that was tailor made for the pick up and play mentality of Xbox Live Arcade, Trials HD is it. On the surface, the game is deceptively simple. You control a faceless motorcycle stuntman on a 2 dimensional plane, and your goal is usually to guide him through a lethal obstacle course. Read More.
When I originally reviewed Patapon on the PSP nearly two years ago, I instantly fell in love with its intriguing mix of rhythm and real time strategy. Leading these little one-eyed cuties into battle against dragons, giant crabs, ancient statues, and the evil zigoton forces was a sheer joy the first time around, and I was enamoured from catchy beginning to toe-tapping end. Read More.
It will be a challenge, but I promise to do my hardest to not allow the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia affect my review for the re-release of this RPG classic. Read More.
Going back before Guitar Hero and its plastic axes came and stole our musical gaming hearts away, there was a little gem of a game for the original PlayStation called Parappa the Rapper. Now, you youngin's with your Xbox 360s and plastic drum kits probably don't remember this charming little game that for all intents and purposes, started the Rhythm genre with a bang. Read More.
Has there ever been a game more highly hyped than Killzone 2? I don't think so. Ever since the debut of the pre-rendered trailer at E3 2005, gamers worldwide have been waiting to see if Guerilla's PS3 killer app could live up to the lofty expectations set forth by that trailer. Read More.
With all the celebrity gossip and non-stop news coverage of celebrity train wrecks like Lindsay Lohan and Jessica Simpson, you really have to wonder why anyone would want to be a movie star. Sure, there are the millions of dollars and the screaming fans, but personally, I like to work in obscurity and not have weird people hiding in my bushes with a telephoto lens that would make Ron Jeremy nervous. Read More.
After working for GamingExcellence for nearly two years, I've had many titles come across my inbox for review. I've played great games, lousy games, ok games, games I've anticipated with bated breath, and games that I had never heard of. Read More.
