Cars: Gameboy Advance Review

Overview- You play as Lightning McQueen, a racecar, and zoom around Radiator Springs into the Piston Cup, while on full throttle the whole time.

Review- This game isn't your typical racing game, with its cartoonish graphics and being based on the Pixar movie Cars, this game is obviously directed at a younger generation. Even that being said, the game is enjoyable for anyone. The humor is either annoying or childishly funny, depending on how you take it, but entertains nonetheless. You score different paint jobs, tracks, new challenges, and new races as you complete the challenges, which are either based on racing an opponent or racing the clock. The game can actually be a bit challenging at times, because the cars drift A LOT on turns, making it impossible to speed through the race like in other children's geared car racing games. The different paint jobs for Lightning McQueen are a cool touch, but more car customization would've been nice. If I could've really decked out Lightning with decals, new wheels, new hubcaps, a faster engine, etc. then the game would've been a lot better. The music for the title sequence and the dialogue is entertaining, but, to my dismay, there is NONE during the racing at all. I wish I had something to hear during the races that wasn't an engine. The graphics are ok, and that's good, but it's kind of boring sometimes. When your just racing without much customization, but that's the name of the game in this handheld racer. It's a good game, but not one that goes without flaws and things that could be better about it. All in all, unless you're underage to play anything else in the genre, this racing game isn't the go-to.

Sloth's Rating: 6.5
Genre: Racing
Platform: Gameboy Advance

Entertainment: B+
Graphics: B
Sound: C
Replay value: B
Playability: A+
Concept: B

NFS Underground 2 Gameboy Advance/PS2/Xbox Review

NFSU2 map

Overview- Need For Speed Underground 2, (NFSU2) is one of the best classic racing games. It consists of upgraded cars, free roaming in the city at night, and was honestly a unique game of its own. There should have been a third is all I can say.

An upgraded custom NFSU2 car

Review- In NFSU2, you start off buying a car. you can just cruise around the city, which is always at night for some reason. Its really cool and nostalgic to me though, because just driving in this city at night with the lights is very unique. You have a GPS system to tell you where the latest races are to win some cash. Not all races are on the map however, so you have to search.The races consist of Circuit, Sprint, Drift, Drag, Street X, and more. You have a map that shows where these races are, as well as many different body shops, performance shops, and specialty shops that you discover to get them on your map. The game is a mix of racing, strategy, arcade, free roam, and you make the decisions that can change the game. This game is honestly not easy. It has been years, and I'm still trying to beat it.Also, This game had the BEST soundtrack. Games like these don't have popular songs, because small bands can easily get popular through a video game soundtrack. It includes Snoop Dogg, The Doors, Xzibit, Unwritten Law, and many more catchy songs, that will get stuck in your head.

Gameplay

Playability: Unlike the new Forza games, this game is a classic NFS arcade game that doesn't take much skill and isn't as realistic, meaning a lot more people can play it.
Cars: This game is focused around import tuner cars such as the Honda Civic, Acura RSX, Toyota Supra, Toyota Corolla AE86, VW GTI, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Subaru WRX and many more, as well as some american muscle cars like the Ford Mustang and Pontiac GTO.


Rating: 9.5
Genre: Racing, Free Roam, Arcade
Platform: PSP, Gameboy Advance, Nintendo DS

Entertainment:A+
Graphics: B+
Sound: A
Replay value: B+
Playability: B+
Concept: A+

Forza Motorsport 4 PS3/Xbox360 Review

Overview- If you want a realistic game, with amazing graphics, stop right here. Forza 4 is the best by far racing game I have ever owned. I always wanted a game where you can buy any car in the world, from a Honda Civic to a Ferrari F40, and customize it front to back, with performance and visual upgrades. lets start.


Review- So when you turn on the game, you have some options. World tour, free race, online, and other career options.World Tour: This is the beginning of your career. you start off with some money, and can buy your first car. In world tour, you complete races to win money to upgrade your car. It even has Jeremy Clarkson to narrate the whole thing. His accent makes this game very proper.
Race Selection: This is where you can select any race, for example, Subaru WRX shootout. you are forced to buy certain cars to continue the career mode.
Online: This is my favorite. instead of going through your whole career, doing the same thing over and over again, you can race over the internet, with random people or friends. you can do drift, drag, and many more races, even including car soccer! the best part about this game mode, is that you win money also.
Free Race: including hot lap, (free run) split screen, and time attack, you dont win money, and can drive any car.

Cars: In the game, you can drive Japanese Imports, American Muscle, or Euro Supercars. You guess it, they will have it. The best part is you can take a Honda Civic, and make it faster than a Ferrari Enzo! you can even drive pickup trucks, vans, Hummers, and Jeeps.
Playability: If you are used to NFS or arcade style racing games, I do not recommend this game. This is a serious, hard to play, realistic game. You have the choice of turning on and off assists, traction control, stability control, ABS braking, suggested line, damage, Auto transmission, manual, or even manual with clutch! The cool thing is, turning these things off gives you more money in career. I was very surprised at how realistic and hard this game was, and whoever buys this game has to be serious and willing for a challenge.
Tracks/ maps: You are able to drive on real life and fictional tracks, including all the tracks from previous forzas plus new ones including the Hockenheimring, the Nurburgring, Top Gear Test Track, and Fujimi Kaido.
Music: In my opinion, the trailers and intro dont represent the game. the upbeat music for the trailers show an NFS action/racing style game. The in-game music although, really does show and tell what it is all about. it is slow, mellow, soothing, proper music, which fits in with Jeremy Clarkson's english accent.

Customizablility: (if thats a word) You can do several things such as:

1. Engine swaps
2. engine upgrades
3. turbo/supercharging
4. cooling upgrades
5. weight reduction
6. roll cage
7. bumpers/body kits
8. vinyls
9. decals
10. paint
11. rims
12. tires

Summary:

Sloth's Rating: 9.0
Platform: Xbox 360/PS3
Genre: Racing, Simulation

Entertainment: A+
Graphics:A+
Sound:A
Music: B
Replay value: B+
Playability: B-
Concept: A+

Trojan: NES Review

Overview- A fighting game in which you play an unnamed warrior and defeat loads of enemies on your way in this side-scrolling journey.

Review- The game has little to say about itself when you turn it on, no overview, nothing. I had a hardtime writing anything above. The game is not a classic NES game by any means. Your unnamed warrior on an unnamed quest will be dropped in the middle of a suburban street with knights armed with maces attacking you, and you must fight them off. You then eventually drop down a manhole and defeat some guy how has the power to throw bats at you and jump. Wow. After this, the game is a particularly impossible to beat snoozefest of fighting, in which you will either turn off in rage or in boredom. There is also a two player mode, in which you can take turns with a buddy playing this game, which is just as fun as playing it in single player mode. Not very much so. Even so, the ability to use a sheild and duck aids for different attacks, and even a sort of crude strategy when facing bosses or your friends in versus mode. The in game music and effects are catchy and well placed, leaving you to give the game another try before shutting it off in another rage against the various boss levels. The sidescrolling beat 'em up/early fantasy RPG journey is an effective concept, but sadly not one that was used correctly in this game. Give it a playthrough, but not at a high cost or urgency. It's a game to play only if you'd like a real challenge that poses no actual storyline (in which case there should be one).



Sloth's Rating- 5
Genre- Action-Adventure, RPG
Platform- NES

Entertainment- D+
Graphics- C+
Sound- B
Replay Value- B
Playability- B+
Concept- A

Quantum of Solace:Wii Review

Overview- The second newest installment (as of now) in the James Bond movie series in game form. The game lets you put Bond's shooting skills to the test, and encompasses the action of the movie in it as well.

Review- The Quantum of Solace video game for the Wii is a very well made one, through and through. I spent countless hours sitting in my basement playing level after level of multiplayer battles. However, as always, I will start with the single player mode. The story line is as action packed as you would expect from 007, and each mission reveals new places to venture to in the storyline. The story is packed with action, usually at the least expected moments. From car races to shootouts, this is a game that will hold you until its completion, and lure in you to play again on a harder difficulty, or from a different perspective. What I mean by this is that, in Bond games and games of the like, there is an obvious choice between being a silent assassin or a rush-in and kill 'em badass type. You can be a mix of the both, depending on the situation, but the flexibility is always a nice thing to have. The tutorials aren't obvious, as they are mixed into a starter mission that feels so long it could be an arcade game of some sort. Then when you gasp for breath from the action, the logo appears on the screen, and your revved up for more. The multiplayer action in the game is great as well. Teams are divided into 4 on 4 games at maximum, sometimes less. There are a couple of different game modes, like capture the flag or defend the base type things , and some more Bond-based games like Bond Versus and Golden Gun, but team matches are always the best. You have the choice of MI6 or The Organization. Each has seperate classes with different loadouts unique to each class. However, sadly, custom loadouts are not offered. Each class has a complimentary one on the opposing side, like The 00 Agent on MI6 is counterpart to the Mastermind, and the Assassin counterpart to the Marksman. Even with very limited weapon, character, and arena choice, this game is a great and entertaining game to play without the intensity of Call Of Duty and more mature rated games.


Sloth's Rating- 7.25
ESRB Rating- T
Genre- Action, Shooter
Platform- Wii, PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360

Entertainment- A
Graphics- A
Sound- B+
Replay Value- B
Playability- B
Concept- C




*Screenshots are not mine

Pokemon Fire Red/Leaf Green: Gameboy Advance Review

Overview- This game is a Gameboy Advance Version of the Red/Blue Version of Pokemon on the original Gameboy. The game takes the original attributes of the Pokemon game we know and love, and adds color and much more.

Review- The goal is quite simple: catch all the Pokemon and complete the Pokedex that professor Oak gives you in the beginning of the game as well as defeat all the Gym Leaders and become a Master Pokemon Trainer in beating them and getting their Gym Badges and defeating the Elite Four. Easier said than done. Pokemon games are known for the adventure and battling that makes them so addictive. The right combination of skill, strong Pokemon, and strategic planning when battling will lead you and your team of six Pokemon to victory. You'll want to trade in Fire Pokemon for Water Type Pokemon when facing Brock, the first Gym Leader who uses solely rock types. This will continue- each gym leader will specify in one type of Pokemon, forcing you to make a balanced team of strong Pokemon to train. The game has all the great parts of the original game, plus a female character choice, more Pokemon options specific to either Fire Red or Leaf Green versions, and obviously, color. The world of Pokemon is expansive and captivating, one that you can't easily escape the entertainment of. The only downsides to the game are the repetitive gameplay that is the Pokemon series, catching, training, and battling gets old after a while, and the unavoidable trainer battles. Other than these two things the Pokemon FireRed/Leaf Green game is a great tool for adventure gaming fun.



Sloth's Rating- 9.75
ESRB Rating- E
Genre- Adventure, Fighting
Platform- Gameboy Advance

Entertainment- A-
Graphics- B+
Sound- B+
Replay Value- A+
Playability- A+
Concept- A+

*Screenshots are not mine

Mortal Kombat: Sega Genesis Review

Overview: Your basic beat-'em-up arcade game brought onto the home console. With memorable characters like Johnny Cage(the douchebag), Rayden (supercharged lightning guy), and Sonya (the chick), this game is sure to make you rage at the television while also leaving an impact on you. Finish him!

Review- First, I'll cover the single player mode. You and your choice of the 7 playable characters progress up the totem pole of battles, first battling each other character, then yourself, then double matches(survival), and on to the miniboss Goro and boss Shang Tsung. While your first approach may be to mash down the A, B, and C buttons in an attempt to furiously beat the crap out of your opponent, you usually just look like an idiot jumping up and down and swatting at the air while Sonya suplexes you to death. After this approach fails and you have your first Mortal Kombat rage(Warning: many more to come), you will actually start to play the game. There are a variety of fighting moves, in which every button on the remote is used as some sort of fighting move. The select button is even a move! The two player mode of the game is even more fun, as you battle your friends in the same two round match as in single player mode. For the time, the graphics are great, and the game is very very entertaining. The retro and Traditional Chinese fusion music is fun to listen to, but gets annoying after a while, but the same is true with most games of the time. The voiceacting is mostly grunts and groans, the only real voice acting is when Scorpion yells in his signature grappling move, "Get over here!". The game is much easier, but could be much harder, than games like Street Fighter due to the difficulty selection, and just as fun.



Sloth's Rating- 9.5
Genre- Fighting, Action
Platform- Sega Genesis, Arcade

Entertainment- A
Graphics- A
Sound- B+
Replay Value- A-
Playability- A+
Concept- B+

*Screenshots are not mine