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The Castlevania Dungeon Forums => Hardcore Gaming 101 => Topic started by: The Great Reviewer on May 29, 2013, 11:18:37 PM

Title: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: The Great Reviewer on May 29, 2013, 11:18:37 PM
Megaman: Powered Up: 4,5 stars out of 5 stars

Megaman. What more can be said of this saga? Apparently, nothing. But not so.
A long, long time, a great saga was born to a legendary console. And in times where everything was new, had to fight hard to get the few historical sagas.
But times change, and if a series can adapt risks repeating itself and stagnate in mediocrity. He has gone to great as Metal Gear, Resident Evil and Castlevania.
Capcom Megaman is what Castlevania is a Konami. And to not repeat mistakes of others, Capcom in their wisdom decided not to move back to familiar territory.
There was a remake of Megaman 1 in The Wily Wars for the Sega Genesis, and was a full-straight, very good indeed, but nothing groundbreaking.
Here we are not faced with a breeze, but a hurricane of fresh air for a franchise that made it big on the NES, SNES improved, purchased the historic label GBA and had its grand finale for NDS.
A saga that, despite what was said, he was cornered inside his own line.
So: what to do? Wisely, Capcom chose the best: renew everything. And all it means everything.

New console, new life for the great Megaman. And where better to start than the first title?
Let us then review the major differences between this Megaman Powered Up for PSP and that glorious past but Nintendo title:
* The most important: All threads in minor mode (with a few exceptions) are now higher. This reminds me of another great game we once enjoyed, and was Kid Dracula a self-parodic Castlevania he showed in his days the greatness that was Konami and Capcom now gives gala. There are even a topic change between major and minor mode that does not make any sense from the standpoint of musical theory, demonstrating the nerve that the composer / arranger gave the soundtrack, perfectly reflecting the Capcom intended. Why so much drama and tension in an environment that in itself should have been always happy and cheerful?
* Megaman was always a good guy, and even shy. Something consistent and likeable for generations of consoles past. But in these times it is fully de-modeh, so have opted for a carefree and fun attitude that not only renews the hero but also generates affinity with it. This, aided by the fact that the graphics do not try to prove anything technically (because in truth good graphics are not important because they do not surprise), gives life to a beloved character that is sure to be loved by a whole new generation of gamers.
* Sound effects range from springs, tires, bulbs, etc., and with the faces and expressions of the enemies (which are the most hilarious and creative) create a total atmosphere of fun, contrasting with the solemnity that was rising from NES to the latest titles and had no where to continue. Special mention oil skateboarding Megaman, from one of the two new robots, which have nothing to envy (not levels) Historic those NES levels got so much joy when they were new.
* All those things we hate in the NES and were the only bad thing was the title back in the 80's now are gone. Thanks to the venerable intended the saga reaches all audiences, and we find no fire and clouds move randomly, or petty or precipices, or platforms that appear and disappear, or slippery surface, or anything that threatens the objective funny play all game every time you want.
* The gameplay knew characterize the series, often clumsy and patinosa (series X), static (Saga Legends) or slow (NES saga) thankfully has been completely modified by a dynamic, smart and fun. One big change that Megaman asked at times for some time.
* The voices are very funny and brazen, proving that even the greatest can laugh at himself. And this is clear evidence Gutsman saying "I have guts!" Megaman saying "Take this!" Or Dr Wily begging for his life and promising to change. Great ... and funny.
* The graphics are childish and intentionally grotesque. Exactly what the franchise needed. The faces of the monsters when they are defeated, robots that seem made of rubber, beautiful and very colorful artworks, enemies that bounce off walls like they have resortitos, the fact that Megaman is blue instead of blue chibi heads aesthetics more large bodies, and especially change in Roll, help achieve an aesthetic consistency and a long line defined as not seen in a portable game. Special mention to the idea that Roll move from being a typical American teenager at a young Japanese doll that makes us want to have it on our nightstand. Wise decision if you ask me.

And on top of all this, the extras are the best we have seen in a game. We offer endless possibilities, like being able to handle our favorite robots and Roll at its best in history, alternative levels and unlockable map editor to create our own versions of levels that, in itself, and are perfectly designed so forth.
If Konami could laugh with distinction and grace of Castlevania, his favorite son, then why not Capcom Megaman?
The person who does not understand the intentions of Capcom with this gem is really a troglodyte.
If you're one of them, go play the original NES or Sega Genesis remake and denies the passage of time.
And if you're mine and not what you want to take days with a game, or test your skills demonstrated already, or anything that relates to a typical game, and you just want to adapt to the times, is just want to say that outright fun, then go get this great game for Capcom endioses from now on.
And to rejoice, this is the first of at least six Powered Up

In a time where all the old sagas revive and reinvent try almost all stagnate in mediocrity or repeat their already worn steps, and some, like Contra or Megaman, out of the ordinary and we rejoice in life.
Hopefully other companies imitate Capcom and start doing this with their classics.
Long live the series Powered Up!
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: The Great Reviewer on May 29, 2013, 11:19:23 PM
New Super Mario Bros DS: 3 stars out of 5 stars

Super Mario Bros 3 with a touch of Super Mario World, boiled whole.

When many years ago Super Mario Bros 3 came into my hands I was dazzled by her amazing creativity. It was a 100% positive change in a franchise that was stagnant, and the game that marked the path that would Mario for a while (perhaps the best of the series). Continued the plumber with his new adventure, Super Mario World, and it was simply one of the best games ever. The achieved levels of excellence that were incredible. Today, after so many disappointments and bizarre forays into games, if I'm going to file a New Super Mario Bros, the least I can ask for is to have something new. And for lack of anything new, at least reach what they were 3 and World. But I am not content with the least, I also want to once and for all give the franchise the facelift it needs. In other words, I want another Super Mario World, something so innovative and wonderful turn my head blown off, something that transformed my concept of Mario. However, this game did not know or meet my first requirement.

Music and Sound:
------------------------

Another hero that should never have spoken. Without reaching the level of irritability, Mario (who ironically does not pronounce words) should never have a voice. It ruins one's personality in their assigned 8-bit days. It's like when you read a book and then the film of the book I had anticipated change. Beyond that, the fx-set fulfills its mission and puts us in a old school, although many sounds are directly taken from previous games. A sign of laziness that companies have. The music itself does not comply. The famous Mario theme absent, and although this might be good, it was replaced by another, we will hear in 90% of the levels, and that has nothing inspired or creates any climate. A melody accompanied inheritance completely sterile and soulless arrangements. The other issues have some variety, but do nothing (the weirdest one Egyptian lasting about 2 levels). But, amid much mud, a gem shines bright. The theme of the castles is the second best I had a Mario game (behind SMW castle theme), and one of the best in the catalog of NDS. Emotional and deep, this is as it should be more often in the games, which unfortunately does not happen. It fails to mention how the fact that there have composed special music for the final castle, but my lack of confidence makes me think that it was not like this.

Gameplay, Difficulty and Fun:
-------------------------------------------------

Most of the levels are too easy, and if that were not enough the immense amount of lives that give us, in 20 minutes you can reach the 99 lives playing over and over again the first level. This error becomes futile effort to get the stars, which otherwise would have served to enter for bonus lives, and so on. One aspect of the game that is canceled. The fun is average, as if we played one Mario 3 with awkward gameplay 2.5D, with a desperate attempt to be SMW with alternative paths. The truth is that you pass the whole game and we were still waiting for takeoff. At first it looks good (not great, but not bad). But it is better to play the GBA remake of SMB3 on this. The difficulty is also low, despite some poorly designed levels make us lose once in a while. There are a couple of special abilities fungi, but nothing that has not been done better in other games. Mario skills are nil compared to 3 (not to mention the World).

Charts and Scenarios:
--------------------------------

The graphics are good for DS, but in terms of aesthetics pale compared to Super Princess Peach, which expires this game from all points of view. Arguably scenarios are varied, but the truth is that change only funds and floors, and it always seems we're playing the same short and easy level, with the same enemies and with no purpose than to get from A to B without being killed. And that I like linear games in 2D, but this is useless 2.5, and passed from linear. The lack of creativity is very striking in the case of Nintendo, to add a couple of platforms with ropes to walk sideways across a chasm not enough to feel that we are in another world. What we find is bolder than skating on the ice floor, but that is most standard, is what is taken for granted. The most critical and best compliment the game belong to the world in August. The only sign of creativity in the game are four horrific levels at the beginning of the end zone. 8-1: lots of crows haunt us. 8-2: aquatic spiders throw us while we jump missile platforms. 8-3: a giant fish chasing us through the water, where the gameplay is worse than ever. 8-4: bees Earthworm Jim outputs of more than one Mario aniquilándonos we launched at once. It all sounds good in theory, but wait to see what is done horribly. Amid these antics four stages, a castle uninspired and very dense. Then from the lava castle where Bowser overcome a style NES Mario 1, other things get good. Levels from there until the end of the game are 100% old school with good innovations and a boss that is the best I have seen a game of the franchise.


History, People and Presentation:
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On the box it seems that is the game I was waiting, a sign that is well presented. The characters are typical of a linear Mario: Mario, Luigi, Bowser and his children, as we have already seen in other games and better made. So nothing to note. The story is also typical innovation nothing: Peach kidnapped, and we see the lead again after each world, the rescue at the end, etc.., But do not need more than that a Mario game, saga that never shone its history. Although the ending could have made a little more ...

Replayability and Extras:
---------------------------------

Only Luigi Game is released when the game ended. And it is basically the same as Mario Game with graphics of the protagonist with another color. In addition, this also was already present in other games in the series. Mario never characterized by the extras, but it does a lot of the 96 screens of Super Mario World, and Nintendo still could not dethrone his own King. The game is easily beatable in a day, and above that is short two complete worlds that do not play. And once the game not wanna start looking for ways to play them, and 6 worlds enough to see that everything is more of the same.

Final Comments:
---------------------------------

Not convey what was expected and loses to be put in the balance with true classic. Almost total lack of creativity, repetitive and linear as could be fairly easy and very uninspired. After 5 worlds super-flat, comes the lack of respect for the world's first 8 levels, and in the end they do give us a hint of what we wanted. Unfortunately, 5 levels and a song distinguished not save a game full of flaws too great to be forgiven.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: The Great Reviewer on May 29, 2013, 11:20:21 PM
Super Mario Galaxy: 3,5 stars out of 5 stars

A collection of mini-games that ruined a great platform game.
 
Oh dear what have you video game industry? Where have those days so long been where the common were things like Megaman, Ghosts and Goblins, Sonic, Castlevania, Super Mario Bros and many other glories? Where have been those simple and hilarious games that are now reduced to downloads for WiiWare?
Mario knew mean in an era, like other sagas, synonymous with quality for me. But, like all sagas, suffered over time. Many things have happened since the unforgettable days of 8 and 16 bits. Football games and sports have been ruined by Winning Eleven and Electronic Arts in general. GTA has caused far fewer games out fantasy, magic and castles and sooooo many more raw, realistic and unpleasant. The 3D implementation has brought two generations of graphics unclean and then falls titles with good graphics and no fun or meaning. The 2.5 has made that not even the games that are playable side view, except for occasional gems like Megaman 9 and the portable Castlevania, who are reluctant to implement the 2.5D negligible. Devil May Cry has given companies the "brilliant" idea that even in the titles baroque characters can be cancheros and carefree as the jerk of Dante, and caused more games come out with aesthetics wet, and nasty under DMC instead of Castlevania gothic and romantic. New technologies like the useless stylus of Nintendo DS games have brought with them that strive to make use of them and forget the simple formula pad + buttons. There has been a huge change in gender and even platforms where there are cliffs, and in games where it comes to killing enemies, we were down to just that: paste-paste-paste. The media have created an idiot and consumerist society, and the empires of all classes (music, TV, movies, video games) will gain easy, and titles that make the mediocre average brainless inhabiting the planet. Young people do not listen to Britney, or watch Saint Seiya, or read Harry Potter. And in the midst of chaos, sagas who wanted to preserve their dignity had to be sold. And so we see aberrations as Megaman Star Force, Castlevania Order of Shadows and Judgment, Super Mario RPG, Sonic Riders, and many others that could fill pages and pages ranting against them.
For all this, is that I had no confidence in this title, and it was assumed it would be another 3D trash that we both shed those every day. In part I was wrong, but partly, unfortunately, no.

Music and Sound:
------------------------

Mario never was characterized by good music, except for one or two songs by title. The trouble is that Koji Kondo has no idea what is appropriate for each moment, and so it only when you want to do some mystery or terror can do something emotional. It ruined the whole saga of Mario and Zelda. And in this particular game, even mystical levels issues manage to create great weather and provide some excitement. The best thing I can say is that it is well made, well implemented, and real-sounding (if that's a good thing). Most of the time the music is not annoying, and that is saying something. And there are issues of good remixes previous titles that meet their missions. The voices are good the few times I heard them, but Nintendo remains firm in his stupid policy does not include voice-over in their games. Incidentally, Mario is an idiot as always with his irritating voice.

Gameplay, Difficulty and Fun:
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Incredibly and to my surprise, the gameplay is very good to be a 3D game, but is ruined by an automatic camera that, while not bad, quite annoying. It would have been better to include a camera that could move at will. But for that very likely would have had to remove parts of the level that you see on the side or below. That would have contributed excellently to the game, but in his eagerness to innovate by 100%, Nintendo was blinded so that everything, absolutely everything, was powerful technical display that exploded as possible to the console. It reminded me at various times of the game when we should hang us from the ceiling in 1 minutes Super Castlevania IV to see how he turned the room, which was amazing for a Super NES, but boring as could be. This ruined the fun for many, many levels, that would have been good to be traditional, which is proved to spare with title Funny levels. The fun / density has peaks very different title. There are entire galaxies catch you in your climate and riddles, and are entirely enjoyable (if Ghostly Galaxy, Loop-De-Loop (the only minigame fun find), or end all dome castles and their bosses), and there are levels (unfortunately more of these than those) incredibly dense, needlessly convoluted and totally unbearable (if more than half of the game). It's a shame, because the game reaches eminent levels of excellence in their good parts, but then quickly decays and turns to make hate. The best example of the ups and downs experienced by levels found in Sea Slide Galaxy, one of the worst galaxies in the game, it comes right after one of the best and funniest. The best of the game is the level of Dark Matter at the end of the 4th. dome and his fight against Bowser, followed closely by Ghostly Galaxy. These levels represent the type of action and puzzle levels, respectively, that should be the game completely. Instead, just find things forgettable (see for themselves comets, for example).
Notably underwater handling unclean, that I'll spend to explain but it's the worst I've seen in a game. Special mention to the ability to hang from the stars, which fulfills the same mission that turned a knack in Order of Ecclesia for Nintendo DS: sample of what the machine is capable, not annoying, but it is not necessary or contributes nothing to the fun or climate.
The abundance of lives lost by falls (caused by the confusing camera) makes me think about the lack of 3D platforms today, and reminds me that Curse of Darkness, in its infinite wisdom, chose to have invisible edges everywhere. Perhaps the 3D was not made to have cliffs, the soul of platform games. But on the other side, then remember Legacy of Darkness and see that when there is talent things can do better than this.
The difficulty in itself is not high. In the good level is just to give us an unforgettable fun. And in the rest of the game, which takes away the desire to play is mostly the fact that the objectives and missions are not all that interesting, and the only thing that motivates us to keep trying is that once you finish torture to return to play a good level. Although the time they spent two-thirds of the game, and perhaps patience is exhausted, along with faith in the game that definitely improves and stop random levels.

Charts and Scenarios:
--------------------------------

The best praise for the game at this point. Exploit the potential processing and graphics of the Wii to the fullest, creating scenarios as varied and beautiful. We can find all kinds of levels, what makes us never get bored of seeing the same. The overworld is perfectly designed, and everything is intuitive and fluid. Not too much to add when everything is done and there is little to criticize. Overflowing taste good, and except for a pair of galaxies (Space Junk, to name one), we have here one of the most diverse sets of levels, creative and who have been produced. A pity that more than half of them lose their charm when faced with pointless missions. The only criticism about the levels is that they have done so many tiny circular sections only to continue abusing the ability of the console at the expense of fun. As for the graphics, you can criticize that is sometimes confused with background level, and not well understood what is and what is ornament to interact. Sometimes suffers from the same problem that most of the 2.5. Within the framework 3D, you thank a couple of levels in 2D (2.5 actually, but not as bad as being what they are). The most pleasing from an artistic point of view is in the first castle and Ghostly Galaxy.

History, People and Presentation:
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Another point which was never strong in the saga is the story. And with that in mind, this is one of the most elaborate stories I've seen a Mario game. The characters are the usual with some additions that feel good, and all interact in a consistent and enjoyable. The presentation of the game is good, maybe a little standard for a Wii game, and, at least to me, I saw her aroused interest. The intro sequence is absent, and the cutscenes are graphically stunning but not too extensive, and almost none of them contributes to the script.

Replayability and Extras:
---------------------------------

After completing the 60 levels, we can make 60 more, but for the few that I wanted to see, it seems that all of them are bad variety of levels of the game, since they are harder and denser than the levels we played. So another point against here, as there are a half-game that goes unseen because of the huge misconceptions that had Nintendo in their desire to be creative as could be.

Final Comments:
------------------------------

Nintendo wanted to renew the series that broke both creativity too much and knew when to say enough. In the process of making all new, almost forget that they had to make a game. Luckily they remembered to put some levels for serious gamers, but are the least. The entire title suffers from a great inconsistency. Do not decide what you want to be and stay halfway between platforms, action, puzzles and minigames. And to make matters worse, the prevailing are last in Mario Party welcome but totally out of place here. Well exploited Creativity can bring us things like Riviera, Etrian Oddyssey, Dragon Quest Swords or Chocobo's Dungeon, and can give clunkers misused as Patapon or games like Katamari Damacy livianitos. And you can not turn your back to the roots. This game sometimes is a Mario with all the letters, but sometimes is so Mario and Sonic and the Secret Rings is a Sonic. Maybe this old sailor and are tired of browsing and searching land, but to me that leave me with Radiata, Castlevania and everything safe. I like to be surprised and I shake the floor every time I turn the page. Sometimes it's better not to innovate, as more than 10 years ago Castlevania. And when you innovate, you have to be a thing or two, not all at once. Riviera is totally original but then follow that line to the end without going crazy on each new level. Gargoyle's Quest 2, perhaps the most perfect game was, innovate a little about mixing formulas known as Final Fantasy with Ghosts and Goblins. Mario Galaxy is capable of generating unique encounters of emotions, and to love and hate in almost equal portions, from glory to disappointment in difference of a few minutes. This is problem because the inconsistency. Not hard to deduce that this game came from the same twisted minds that we were "delighted" with several Zelda and their riddles. So yes, it is what it is today. Compared to other things that come out, is a good game. Not playing NES to leave school having tea with Grandma's milk, but better than so many aberrations to which we submit every time we see new releases. To be honest, there are many excellent things in Wii (and I mean MANY: Megaman 9, Dragon Quest Swords, Chocobo's Dungeon, Arc Rise Fantasia, Fragile, Contra Rebirth, Resident Evil 4, Muramasa, Mario Kart, and many others) to play this game just have the console, which seems to be the intention of the big N. Without saying it's bad, it's not even close to being the best game of the catalog as many think, and is recommended only when there are Mario Galaxy, Symphonia 2 to Sonic Unleashed as options (in good), or who want to try has the patience to endure several garbage before reaching old school level or interesting. I was one of those with lots of patience, and as far as I got without my fill, I could enjoy the good things that gave me the title: the castles and their bosses, Rosalina and Peach, Ghostly Galaxy and some other levels, and range management of movement, amazing graphics and effects, spectacular scenery and some puzzles. Unfortunately, the aforementioned reviews ended up exhausting my patience. It is only the opinion of one person, and I know when time passes and the dust dissipates, your humble servant - do intentionally? - Remember only the great moments that the game gave him and forget about the many frustrations, but compared with very good games we've seen on this platform, that is not enough to be the best.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: The Great Reviewer on May 29, 2013, 11:21:56 PM
Sonic Rush: 3 stars out of 5 stars

The expected and not so glorious return of classic Sonic.

After many forays into foreign lands, there was little joy to know that Sonic would be what it was in its glory days of Sega Genesis. However, some fears suppressed my anxiety ... Would suffer? Sonic the relentless passage of time? Would it be "sold" to "fit" the new "gamers"? (Especially the latter remark quotes, because gamers do not consider those who like modern trends). Unfortunately, my fears had some foundation. But luckily, it was not all black. In a game with more ups than downs and no stockings, I also enjoy a new adventure of a hero of my childhood. And while the final impression is not so good, we must recognize that at times I was playing one of the old classic Sega console.

Music and Sound:
------------------------

The worst aspect of the game. Before you always expect a very nice soundtrack, and a particular topic that stood out. Above topics obviously not made with the pleasant sound sources Sega Genesis can not be further from those unforgettable "Marble Zone", "Aquatic Ruin" or "Flying Battery" of these amorphous compositions, if so can be calls. They have no reason to be and at all times are incredibly irritating. The harmonious melodies and beautiful sequences of 16-bit games were replaced by black squirrels epileptic and caffeine past rapping, screaming and making all kinds of voices on a hyperkinetic percussion and chords seemingly random positions. And to make matters worse, the accompanying voices, making it sound too bad. The only good sound passes through the recycling of Genesis, but only for a theme of nostalgia (and anyway not merit this game). Sonic's voice, that never should have had a voice, could not be hidden. His personality was unbearable to look out Sammy could not stop if I wanted the game to adapt to today's youth, but this game should be classic in every sense, forgetting these stereotypes "cancheritos" that did not exist.

Gameplay, Difficulty and Fun:
-------------------------------------------------

Four good and two bad. Simple as that. The first three and the fifth areas are hilarious, take us back to our teenage years in the 90's (although the feeling vanishes whenever there is dialogue or cutscenes). Innovate on some things that fit perfectly to handling forever. Zone 4 and begins with cliffs and parts that will kill us the first time we get, since it is impossible to tell whether this platform will be here or there without knowing the map. Once saved is easy but has little fun. This happened in some classic levels too, but it was more fun than here. Anyway, the worst part is the end zone. Sonic will automatically point A to B, then from B to C, until now and then we have things to kill once and cliffs everywhere. All errors in zone 4 maximized to the point that, if this little fun, this area is not fun at all. Only irritating. More than one leave the game to meet the latest design unclean area. The fact that they play on 2 screens can be confusing at first, and even apparently the basis for one of the greatest reviews, but the truth is that after a few minutes and do not realize that the ground is divided (although this game make the mistake of not taking into account the space between 2 screens, others common error in the console, so sometimes a bit confusing).

Charts and Scenarios:
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Except Sonic and the enemies, which are modeled in 3D, everything seems out of a Genesis game graphics but with a later generation. It is 2D and we want to see. The type of scenarios and unfortunately so little is seen from the arrival of the absurd 2.5D. In this area the game takes the biggest applause. It is flawless. Moreover, more than one world seems modeled on some old aesthetics. This is the path that should be followed for all things related to the game: copy what made it great for over a decade without anything unnecessary innovate. Note that the game never slows down despite the speed and vertigo almost always present, and especially what are some bosses dazzling from the technical standpoint. It is the best I have seen in the console.


History, People and Presentation:
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Since Sonic started talking has lost most of the charm it had in its glory days. Each imagined in his way, but I never would have imagined as a typical teenager who is the winner and gets strip lining face to everyone, talking to that ironic and conceited so annoying. Unfortunately here speaks, and pretty, and though the dialogue is mostly text, the few times I heard his voice are enough to displease when supplemented with gestures. Something akin to sacrilege protagonist of Megaman Powered Up but raised to the tenth power. The story is something like that mix long lines, and then go on one side Sonic, Tails follows him as a sycophant ass-kisser, and such is the Blaze is not known to what created it, and Eggman comes a time in new machinery, and seek the emeralds, save the world, blah blah blah. In short, nothing coherent or matter. Sonic must not have history. He had in his first game, and never should have. They are so bad that ruin much of the climate. And to top it did not include Amy, the best character in the franchise. The presentation is modern and makes it appear to be a game made for children yankees idiots. If it were the case, I would never have played.

Replayability and Extras:
---------------------------------

Blaze mode, available since we spent a couple of levels, makes no sense. There are no extras worth mentioning, and once the game has the same value as the Sonic had before: every now and play him again to finish it in one or two days. So one could say that keeps the replay value that had the classic series, but considering the extras that bring the games today (one of the few good things that time has done in the game), I think, at least could have included something ... for example, Amy Mode. That would have been the right unlockable for this title.

Final Comments:
---------------------------------

It's hard to review a product able to generate as many clashes of feeling in a player 100% old school like me. But after settling my opinions and have missed a little time, the predominant memory of having had management and scenarios as before, then forget (perhaps intentionally) the mediocrity of the music, the characters, the story and the design of some levels. There are errors that are forgiven, but it's always good to have new games pure 2D endear a character through so much trash that we throw out every day.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: The Great Reviewer on May 29, 2013, 11:22:38 PM
Super Princess Peach: 4,5 stars out of 5 stars

The day a spinoff outperformed the original series.

Warning: Spoilers Ahead!

Never a spin-off had shone much as it did Super Princess Peach. The best I have Nintendo DS, this game to be released aroused more suspicion than anything, was able to win the pleasure of who writes them huge dose of creativity and good taste. And the absence of so many things in which he was supposed to be the next big Mario game, this hidden gem has held, in a way, the throne that New Super Mario Bros failed to fill.

Music and Sound:
------------------------

What is expected of a Mario game, only replace the Italian by Princess. With voice similar to all appearances, Peach oozes sweetness, offering a good change from the big shouting "Mamma Mia!". The music is very well composed and varied, and although most are mild in most parts, all complemented excellently with their scenarios, because they have something that is usually missing too often: spirit. So we listen to salsa rhythms, Hawaiian, merger, waltzes, and all kinds of tracks that culminate in the world's top end, where the style of Mario castle, we enjoyed two great songs in minor mode with almost everything that should have . Rounding, an excellent soundtrack that offers some of the best this lackluster year has brought us.

Gameplay, Difficulty and Fun:
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Super Princess Peach has simple gameplay all games should have, but in turn complex in a fun way. We start with 4 basic skills called "vibes" through which we interact with the stage in an incredible way, and as we move in the game acquire power-ups that will allow us to expand the range of movements throughout the duration of the adventure . The management of the princess is fluid and dynamic, and use the stylus not forced almost never. I personally would rather activate skills through a sub-menu when you pause the game, but for what it is, we must recognize that it is wrong. To this must be added the so far only wise use of stylus, since each level pre-boss Peach must guide the stylus across platforms, destroying rocks, killing ghosts, until it reaches its destination and fight against the boss each area. And here is another high point of the game, because in an era where the bosses are huge and enervating and fights against them are boring and tense, everything here is descontracturado, and we must not press the buttons very fast for her 1000 hits before we stick 10 times, but each boss is removed from a different, relative to the stage where they are located, and very creative. The difficulty is in keeping with the rest of the game, and is perfectly balanced, with the hardest parts of the game that make us think and come back many times over our steps, not enemy-infested areas. Find the frogs, the pieces of the puzzle, hidden musical themes and many other things, added the game a fun extra value in itself already been high. And it is noteworthy that many years later, he finally has a good use of the effect of rotation (up in this SPP was better than NSMB).

Charts and Scenarios:
--------------------------------

A huge variety of scenarios takes us on this journey through mountains, volcanoes, oceans, castles, stormy skies, haunted mansions, forests, meadows and snow, we not only change the background to look elsewhere. We really feel that we are in each room, as each world has to interact with different objects, platforms, obstacles and enemies. From the technical point of view are nothing dazzling, but are 2D in all its glory, and very pleasing to the eye. Really go through the universe of Super Princess Peach is one of the best experiences DS has given us so far.


History, People and Presentation:
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The story at first seems the typical by the fact that we must rescue Mario and Luigi. But much more than that, since there are also plenty of Toads who must be rescued, plus they rarely focus on cutscenes accompanying umbrella princess, not herself, which gives its name to the title. Obviously not Final Fantasy 3, but because it is a game too hard put this franchise. The presentation suggests exactly what the game is once you already know, but at the time raised many questions, not because of the packaging but for the game it contained. To get rid of that bias just playing around and take a chance on a game right away and off of the ordinary. The characters are those already mentioned, besides Bowser, and was a nice touch that instead of putting generic and Koopas bosses, which are all equal, each world has here a villain in particular. Special mention to the incredibly elusive star sleeper, which gives the game a very special moment, as long as the find, there, where it is so hidden.

Replayability and Extras:
---------------------------------

Being a Mario game extras are many, since the 5 levels that each world, once we complete the adventure we add another 3, otrogándonos almost an extra game, and we should also return to beat the boss of each world in order to access the hidden screens. In addition, find all the pieces of each puzzle and collect every collectible can be a daunting task that. Much of replay value due to the wise decision to include a shop, by which sometimes we can guide you on what is missing and what not (and see those hidden stun abilities and items arouse much curiosity). Some things can only buy once defeated Bowser as the final ability. And a great value is added to the game to be mandatory redemption of all frogs of each world to gain access to the final battle.

Final Comments:
---------------------------------

It is ironic that the game that quenched my desire to play another Super Mario World has been a game that starred Mario, but not surprising, since the most common is a saga pond in your own mediocrity and chatez. What is not common at all to be a spin-off commissioned to revive and give new. In short: Thank you, Nintendo! Thank you.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: The Great Reviewer on May 29, 2013, 11:23:01 PM
Sonic Rivals: 3,5 stars out of 5 stars

Well as a spin-off, but very mediocre as part of the saga.

Sonic was missed after disappointments most of GBA, and all had the hope that Sega would fulfill his promise that the new generation would come the new classic. Unfortunately, Sonic Rush served part of that promise, and Sonic Rivals PSP competition, not lived up to the occasion. Looking at the game as it was meant to be, it's not bad. But not a Sonic for nothing. You have to take it as something else and go with the speed.

Music and Sound:
------------------------

The same garbage without logic rapped all the latest Sonic. No lack of black fat ranting about hip-hop rhythms, or ranting Bronx street with his sentences on a rap. Sonic's voice irritating as ever, and the other voices are not very well acted to say.

Gameplay, Difficulty and Fun:
-------------------------------------------------

There is no denying that, once we accept that this is not a traditional line Sonic, the game purchase dynamics. We get carried away by the races and in a couple of days we will have seen it all. The gameplay is very good although it is quite automatic and relies mostly on reflexes to press this or that button in this or that part of the level. The difficulty is not too irritating but sometimes it gets a little annoying. What is rare is that zone 2 is more difficult than one, and three more difficult than the 2, but after that the 3 zones are easy end, and no difficulty to the end boss. A rare detail had never seen.

Charts and Scenarios:
--------------------------------

Squeeze the PSP graphically like few games have. Thanks to the wonderful scenarios over the game we purchase. Go with Sonic through the levels of the game, they are also very varied, is a first class visual stimulus. In terms of design, are fairly linear, and absolutely all areas of the game consist in getting from point A to point B faster than our opponents. It's like a traditional Sonic but with super-linear levels and shorter, more speed, more dizziness, and no interaction or classic movements.

History, People and Presentation:
-------------------------------------------------- -

The worst part of the game after the music and voices. A story that is ridiculous and very poor more or less on "Hey! Stop Doctor Eggman!, No, I'll get it before you!, We'll see!; Let us run a race and see who is faster! "Repeated 6 times, with additional Sonic, passing the 5th. world forgets that must rescue Amy from the clutches of Eggman. And the beautiful Amy Rose only appears at the end and never again. Another huge point against. The presentation is difficult to qualify, since casts doubt on the content.

Replayability and Extras:
---------------------------------

No point in playing the story of a character once played the Sonic, because levels are equal and scripts are equally poor and meaningless. To make matters worse, Amy again not as a playable character and new characters are laughable and do nothing in gameplay or plot.

Final Comments:
---------------------------------

A fun game to hang out and enjoy nothing more speed and spectacular graphics and effects, but after that is not worth too much as it bored too soon.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: The Great Reviewer on May 29, 2013, 11:58:34 PM
Flame says: >powered up
>4.5 out of 5
what. Game was not nearly like the original. the art style is one way, though thats subjective. but some of the tightness of the original was totally lost. grabbing onto stairs, and weapons going through walls, for one.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(I can not quote. I received a warning of moderation. I hope to meet community standards from now on)

Thanks for the comment, my friend. I firmly believe that Megaman was stuck in its own mediocrity and lack of originality, and for those times when running the game industry when Powered Up was released to the public, the wisest decision he could take Capcom was doing what he did . Megaman 1 NES was very good in his day, but both NES games like SNES or GBA were out of fashion, and none of it would have succeeded in the way that Powered Up did.

Megaman was always cheerful and minor mode music made ​​no sense. This time that was sorted. Megaman had never before so happy and carefree characters. That was a very positive aspect as well.

Just as Castlevania needed the change brought MercurySteam, Megaman also needed it at that particular time. Castlevania became dark as it always should be, and Megaman saga became cheerful, and it feels so good!

Extra game modes, challenges ...

From the point of view you look at it, no discussion of that Powered Up has enough to fight for the title of best Megaman game.
And that's what I call wisdom of Capcom, and objectivity of analysis.

Best regards, and you are free to continue to expose your views to discuss.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: Pfil on May 30, 2013, 01:34:49 PM
Let's see, one by one...

* Megaman Powered Up: I don't agree. AT ALL. I think it's the worst Megaman traditional game. And the whole thing about the music? It totally ruined what a Megaman soundtrack's is supposed to be.
* New Super Mario Bros: I kind of agree with this one. I didn't like it either. Many points are valid. It was easy and lacking in soundtrack, originality and level design. I liked it in its Wii version, though.
* Super Mario Galaxy. No. Just... no. SMG may be the best Mario game to date, though maybe the second Galaxy game is better.
* Sonic Rush: I think 3/5 is a low score, maybe 3,5...
* Super Princess Peach: I loved that game, but 4,5 seems a little too much, and I wouldn't dare to say it outperforms the whole Mario franchise. Though I loved the fact that Peach is now kicking ass instead of just being kidnapped and rescued.
* Sonic Rivals: One of the bad Sonic games in my opinion.

If I must give a score to your reviews here on this thread, using the same system you use, I'd give them 2,5/5.

And on a general note... I love retro games too, but you seem to be very stuck to old formulas and if you want to are a critic you have to accept new games. If you complain so much about 3D, 2.5D and modern formulas, I don't suggest you ever try, for example, the Bioschock games...
...which are brilliant, by the way.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: The Great Reviewer on May 30, 2013, 11:10:28 PM
You lack the objectivity required to see beyond personal tastes. Megaman Powered Up is the best Mega Man game to date, or is close to it. Super Mario Galaxy has nothing to do racing you classics such as Super Mario World, and is exactly the problem with 3D. 3D can never be better than 2D, it is a universal truth and serenity requires a critic to appreciate. Super Princess Peach is better than any Mario game, it's just that people can not see beyond the name of Mario, and are carried away just because the little box says Super Mario.
If you think my reviews deserve 2.5 stars out of 5 is the same. And no thanks, I'm not interested in games Bioshock, triggers are a genre that never will interest me, and I had to do reviews, Bioshock not exactly, but so far I've come across good shooting game , and at this point in life I no longer possible.
Best regards.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: VladCT on May 30, 2013, 11:24:04 PM
You lack the objectivity required to see beyond personal tastes.
Yyeeeaaahhh...thing is, personal tastes are always involved in one's opinion about a video game, or any entertainment medium for that matter, and moreso than you think. As such, reviews are never entirely objective, no matter what the reviewer says. As they say, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." There's a reason why it's called an "opinion".
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: Pfil on June 01, 2013, 01:22:04 AM
You lack the objectivity required to see beyond personal tastes. Megaman Powered Up is the best Mega Man game to date, or is close to it. Super Mario Galaxy has nothing to do racing you classics such as Super Mario World, and is exactly the problem with 3D. 3D can never be better than 2D, it is a universal truth and serenity requires a critic to appreciate. Super Princess Peach is better than any Mario game, it's just that people can not see beyond the name of Mario, and are carried away just because the little box says Super Mario.
If you think my reviews deserve 2.5 stars out of 5 is the same. And no thanks, I'm not interested in games Bioshock, triggers are a genre that never will interest me, and I had to do reviews, Bioshock not exactly, but so far I've come across good shooting game , and at this point in life I no longer possible.
Best regards.
If I understood correctly, you said there's not a good FPS game?
You are missing several great games by rejecting an entire genre, and even by rejecting 3D. I love retro gaming, but if you reject modern gaming you'll be missing lots of excellent stuff. It's the same as with movies. I know people who wouldn't watch a new film, and they miss A LOT of great movies each year, just because they believe all good pictures were made in the past.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: The Great Reviewer on June 01, 2013, 05:22:44 AM
@ VladCT: It is common that everyone has an opinion, but is the work of a critic make others see a unified reality based on objectivity without letting any personal taste or feelings get in the way of truth.

@ Pfil: It is an accepted truth that old games are better than current, but not too old because they were too primitive. Intermediate generations are accepted among experts in the field to be the best.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: Belmontoya on June 01, 2013, 08:32:55 AM
Oh man. This guy is so full of shit that it's just funny.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: Phoenix7786 on June 01, 2013, 09:45:07 AM
Yeah the

Mirror of Fate: 5 stars out of 5 stars (best rating in the history of my column in the magazine).

Is the icing on the (shit)cake. You'd swear this was either Skycaptain 2.0, or Cox's radar has picked us up and is proceeding to bombard us.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: Belmontoya on June 01, 2013, 10:15:53 AM
@ VladCT: It is common that everyone has an opinion, but is the work of a critic make others see a unified reality based on objectivity without letting any personal taste or feelings get in the way of truth.

This is my favorite part. This guy is delusional! You are not talking to just fans of CV. Many of these forum goers are game programmers, graphic artists, and composers. We know good work when we see it because we understand the process of what goes in to that work. Our "opinions" are based on that understanding. We are passionate about CV. But we are quite capable of looking at these games objectively.

Your reviews make no sense at all. And all one has to do to see that is read other reviews from critics. None, and I repeat none have ever written such incorrect garbage about SCV4. Yours reads like you played the game on a bad acid trip or something.

You need to re-evaluate your critiques.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: chainsawmidget on June 01, 2013, 01:34:18 PM
@ VladCT: It is common that everyone has an opinion, but is the work of a critic make others see a unified reality based on objectivity without letting any personal taste or feelings get in the way of truth.
Thank you for that.  You have unified everyone here, regardless of their individual opinions and tastes, into seeing one objective truth. 

That truth is that you are a complete idiot and have no idea in hell what you're talking about.  You, good sir, are a disgrace to your profession.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: Pfil on June 02, 2013, 02:53:02 AM
@ Pfil: It is an accepted truth that old games are better than current, but not too old because they were too primitive. Intermediate generations are accepted among experts in the field to be the best.
So, all GB and NES games are bad? All SNES and PS1 games are good? And all PS3 and modern PC games are bad?
That sounds totally like something "expert in the field" would say...  :rollseyes:
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: Phoenix7786 on June 02, 2013, 12:02:05 PM
Any second now I'm expecting Sumac to crawl out of the woodworks and either take credit for this alter-ego or join forces in some terrifying display.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: The Great Reviewer on June 02, 2013, 06:23:36 PM
@ MontoyaGraphics: I really am sorry you think of me in that way. You are free to have your opinion, no matter how wrong it may be, but I think there wrong views because they are the truth of one person and nothing else, nothing more than that, my friend. Objective and universal truths, purely academic analysis, that's another story.

@ Phoenix7786: Mirror of Fate improved things about Lords of Shadow, who had plenty of errors and poor judgment by MercurySteam.
And I still do not understand that joke about the Sumacs.

@ chainsawmidget: It's funny you address me using "idiot" and "good man" in the same sentence. Increasingly, I am getting rude answers without being disrespectful for my part.

@ Pfil: For the umpteenth time, GameBoy has a dismal catalog of games, with only a few exceptions of games, at best, decent.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: Belmontoya on June 02, 2013, 07:44:06 PM
@ MontoyaGraphics: I think there wrong views because they are the truth of one person and nothing else, nothing more than that, my friend. Objective and universal truths, purely academic analysis, that's another story.

Your reviews do not demonstrate universal truths because you lack the impartial eye required to form an impartial, and objective review. Your review of CV4 shows that. It is by far the worst review for that game I have ever, I repeat, ever seen. It goes beyond not making sense. It literally reads like you played a different game.

The things you could critique that game on is it's lack of character development, and the inability to save your progress. You could also criticize it for it's imbalances in sub weapons. The multi-directional whipping makes some sub weapons like holy water sometimes useless. But you miss all of the games actual flaws and instead complain about the marks the game excels at and has the highest reviews for, such as the music.

Let me say this purely and simply: You do not understand how to properly review a game. It's amazing you have a job in this field. Thank your lucky stars and try to do better work.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: The Great Reviewer on June 03, 2013, 12:58:38 AM
@ MontoyaGraphics: Finally, someone who gets to my level and speak my language. The language of the critics. Although your version of an objective reality is totally different from mine, so let me disagree, sir.
Title: Re: The Great Reviewer: Other Games Reviews (please read and debate)
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on June 03, 2013, 08:47:22 AM
I put this in the CV General Discussion version of this thread, so I will put it here as well:

Alright, I think we've all had enough fun, today.

Now for some administrative rules talk... not for the Great Reviewer, but for everyone else:

-While these reviews are... mmm... questionable... it is the community's job to stay civil.  I will refer you to the This Thread (http://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/index.php/topic,1260.0.html), which you guys have forgotten about.

-Also, name-calling doesn't really give you an edge (I'm talking specifically to the people calling someone an 'idiot', which is kind of messed up and arguably counts as a bending/twisting of the "Don't be an ass" rule.

-I suggest you guys follow the old adage "Don't like what you see? Don't click".  If you don't like what The Great Reviewer has said, then your 7 pages of arguments against what he said are not going to sway his OPINION on the matter.  Better let the sleeping dogs lie and the post sink quietly into the backpages.  The Great Reviewer has not insulted anyone, so there is no need for the namecalling and I'm actually somewhat ashamed that some of you resorted to this.  I do agree that his reality is... not the same as most of ours, but that's also just my opinion. :P

@The Great Reviewer:
-Creo que no sabes la diferencia entre Opinion y Dato. Decir "No hay buenos juegos en el Gameboy" es una opinion, no un dato.  Decir esa frase inmediatamente destruye su credibilidad.  Es mas, cualquieras frases que sean completamente 'absolutas' como esa bajan la credibilidad de la persona que las dice, sobre todo cuando la persona las trata de pasar como si fueran datos.
(I believe you don't know the difference between Opinion and Fact.  Saying "There aren't any good games on Gameboy" is an opinion, not fact.  Uttering this phrase immediately destroys one's crediblity.  In fact, any phrases that are completely absolute like that phrase lower the credibility of the person saying them, especially when said person is trying to pass them off as fact).

-Mucha de la comunidad, sobre todo aqui, esta en desacuerdo con tus revisos de juegos, no solo porque los juegos, generalmente, han tenido buenos puntajes de otras revistas (1up, gameinformer, etc.), pero por el enorme numero de errores que tienen.  Y decir algo como "nadie comprende Japones", no es verdad, sobre todo porque tenemos gente en este foro de diferentes paises, sabemos lo que dicen bastantes juegos.  Shiroi Kuomori tradujo una novela de Castlevania una semana o dos atras.  Decir cosas como esta no te estan ayudando.
(Lots of the community, especially here, is in disagreement with your game reviews, not only because the games generally have had good/high scores in other magazines/sites, such as 1up, game informer, etc., but more so because of the large amounts of errors your reviews have.  And saying something like "Japanese which nobody understands" is just not true, since we have people in this forum from different countries, so we know what the games say.  Shiroi Kuomori translated an entire Castlevania novel a few weeks ago.  So saying stuff like this isn't helping you).