Soul Calibur V Review

Soul Calibur V
by Christian Guanzon

Soul Calibur V takes the series in an unexpected direction and is easily the most drastically different successor we’ve seen in the main series. For those of you who are new to the series, you could probably ignore the comparing grumblings of an old man. And for those of you who didn’t like (or dare I say “hated”) SC before, pay close attention.

Story – 1/5
Soul Calibur V’s story leaves much to be desired. Seventeen years after the events of Soul Calibur IV, the player controls five Souls (three characters, but two have other weapon modes ) and fight a horde of generic created Souls and I’d say half the actual roster, sewn together on a combination between sketchy stills and in-engine cut scenes that allude to a plot more than actually establishing one. The frustrating lack of information doesn’t get any better once you realize half the roster is unfamiliar to you and you know absolutely nothing about them. By the end of it, there were a lot of gaps to be filled – not the least of which being the big glaring question of “What was the point of these last two hours…?”


Gameplay – 4.5/5
It was pretty hard for me to judge SCV’s gameplay, mostly because it took me longer than I’d like to admit to familiarize myself with it. The Soul Gauge and Critical Finishes of IV have been replaced with the much more robust Critical Gauge. The Critical Gauge fills on the standard attack/is-attacked and acts as a resource for the game’s flashier features (Guard Impact, Brave Edge, and Critical Edge).


For me, these features encouraged some 2D fighting habits with treacherous consequences. But once I remembered Soul Calibur’s third dimension, things picked up. And fast. Turns out, the Critical Gauge and its three cronies picked up Soul Calibur’s pace and were well adapted and balanced to the series’ foundations. My only problem was Guard Impact’s newfound reliance on the Critical Gauge, but even then most characters have one built into their move set somewhere.




Graphics – 4.5/5
SCV’s graphics are fairly standard to expect from this generation (a fact that kind of stings at the old man inside). There have been some animation issues, including mouths not moving while speaking and some grab attacks don’t fully grasp the defender. That said, the game’s locales really feel like fighting in an environment as opposed to an arena, filled with thoughtfully placed and well-crafted details.

Sound – 5/5
This game’s got some solid sound, with an impressive cast of skilled voice actors and a wide range of sound effects. I also surprisingly found myself in want of the soundtrack (I’d never actively taken note in a Soul Cal soundtrack before). It also features two options of sound effects: Exaggerated and Realistic, which can be optioned in three degrees either way.

Extras – 5/5
Soul Calibur’s extras are quite possibly the most impressive thing about it. What I’m talking about is, obviously, Create-A-Soul mode, which is one of the most detailed character creation systems I have ever come across. However, the most important thing is the more-than aesthetic effect of height. Taller characters have a longer reach, and shorter characters deal more damage. It’s nothing easily noticeable, but when every second counts so does each inch.

Overall – 3.75/5
Soul Calibur V is a great game with some awkward story mode hanging off the side. But, honestly, the story mode is just something fighters go through to unlock more stuff to beat each other up with. In the end, I’ll put it like this – Soul Calibur V is that awkward sibling that doesn’t look anything like its “father.” Sure, it looks weird in the family portrait, but if you ran into it on the street you might realize it’s pretty attractive. No matter where you’ve been in the series’ life, I encourage you to give Soul Cal V a decent swing.



Rundown
+Faster pace
+Detailed environments
+Superb soundtrack
+High amount of customization

- Story mode is practically empty

Skyrim Review

The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
Put both hands on arrow. Remove from knee. Read review.

 by Devan La Spisa


When I first picked up Skyrim a part of me went into the game slightly skeptical thinking there was no possible way all the hype could be true. But within minutes of playing my doubt was swiftly kicked in the boys and tossed down the stairs, allowing me to be captivated by this daunting and expansive title. Now the idea of a Bethesda sandbox being large is no real surprise to anyone. Yet the level of depth and your ability to get lost in a wonderland of side quests is unlike any other game on the market. Everything you do in Skyrim has purpose and is not only meaningful to the game but to you as a player. Some may call this the best game ever, others will say this is to be expected from an Elder Scrolls title. As for me I think its about damn time we get to play a game like this.

Story: 4.5/5

Finding yourself bound up at the start of this tale, you sit across from a group of rebels you had nothing to do with. Yet through guilty by proximity you end up sharing the same doomed fate as your fellow prisoners in a town run by Imperials. Within seconds of arrival you are sentenced to a swift beheading that at the last possible moment is interrupted by the one of meanest Dragons you’ve ever seen (no joke this thing is gnarly). A heart pounding escape later your story begins.

Now the main storyline revolves around you being the Dragonborn, which is discovered just in time for you to fight off the loads of flying lizards that now plague Skyrim. Through this you gain the ability to take the battle to the new menace, learning more about what your new powers mean to the world around you. But what makes the story of Skyrim so captivating is not the driving force of the main chronicle. Its the story in combination with every other offshoot quest that you find that determines your tale. What you do in the massive world around you uniquely crafts your story. This ability to choose your own adventure in a unrestricted open world is nothing revolutionary to the gaming industry, especially in the genre of the sandbox RPG. Skyrim takes the genre to new heights with the freedom you are given to make the story personal.

Your inner hero or villain can go about unchecked and roam around inflicting what ever you want on the people you meet. These choices however don’t come without repercussion. There are consequences you won’t see coming until four to five game play sessions later giving you those “Oh yeah....that guy.” moment you will learn to cherish. With an exploration element being one of the driving forces of this game, players have a sense of decisiveness not seen in many titles. Whatever you do in the game, it was you who made it happen. Skyrim trusts you enough to let you go out on your own without having to drive you down a series of hallways and talking points (...looking at you Final Fantasy 13). Its a breath of fresh air in world where a game’s choices feel more like a standardized test and less like an option.  

Gameplay: 5/5


One of the more amazing aspects of Skyrim is their simple yet deep combat system. It offers a level of diversity not often seen in most games today. Right from the get go your shown a sample of each of the three primary play styles, those being the warrior, mage, and thief. Each comes with their own skill sets that can be cross trained at any point with no penalty. In fact the idea of experimenting is actually encouraged, giving your character a personalised feel.

Now if the idea of melee combat seems like the route most accustomed for you then in for a treat. In this reviewer’s opinion some of my greatest moments playing were when I was knee deep in enemies swinging my blades like it was going out of style. There is just something so rewarding about charging someone head on and driving your axe into the side of their temple for the killing blow. The variety offered for the warrior type is plentiful, especially in the weapons department. There are three primary weapon types which are the sword, axe, and mace and each have a one or two handed version. You can also add a shield to the mix for more protection or even free hand with a one-hander to get your parry on.

As for the thief the whole in-your-face element is swapped out for a more indirect and subterfuge driven play style. This section of development is where we find our archery, knife combat, sneaking, and all the benefits that go with being under the radar. Even though this format required a bit more patience to play it didn’t make it less enjoyable by any means. You trade off the barbarian style of charging headlong into battle for a more tactical approach that favors backstabbing along with other less honorable methods. Attempting to get the drop on your target before he sees you definitely gives a heightened level of suspense. I found myself hold my breath as I crept behind guards hoping they wouldn’t notice so I could watch that beautiful throat slitting animation again (and trust me you never grow tired of seeing it). Also the added bonus of being able to steal almost anything with no repercussion made for a very happy wallet.

Then there was the magical path which in my opinion was the most difficult play style compared to the other two. The level of diversity however found in the mage section made this one of the more interesting way to progress. For the caster at heart you will not be disappointed by what Skyrim has to offer. From raising demons to smashing a lightning blot into someones face you can be the cast-all-do-all mage of your dreams. Life expectancy and survivability tend to dwindle on the low end though as some creatures will be able to lay in some serious hurt while in your cloth robes so bring some potions. Aside from the increased difficulty the combat is unlike anything you will experience in this game. Especially when you begin finding some of the high level spells that pack a massive punch. More than once I was shifting into panic mode as I let the spells rip trying to keep the last bits of my health intact. A real treat indeed.  

Yet Skyrim wouldn’t be Skyrim with out the plethora of mighty shouts you get to unleash upon your enemies. While laying waste to scores of dragons that love to drop in from time to time you get to collect their souls. Which works out well since scattered around are runes that teach shouts. These have different effects from knocking someone back to even breathing fire in their face. As you spend souls you get to unlock different shouts giving an added incentive to keep hunting those fire breathing demons of the sky (As if you really needed one). This feature works well because not only does it give another form of customization but it is fun just toying around with each new one you stumble upon. Plus the variety of shouts you can collect makes them useful regardless of play style.  

Aside from the glorious combat there is a multitude of other ways to deposit endless hours into this game. For starters the different forms of crafting allow you to build almost everything you can consume or equip in the world. Yet despite this system being a bit simplistic it tends to work out rather well. I thoroughly enjoyed not having to watch some load bar simulate the unrealistic five second it took to make my legendary daedric sword.  But one of the greatest things is still just getting lost in the lush and savage world that is Skyrim. The ability to explore any castle or far away ruin you may see is a precious commodity this title delivered flawlessly.

Graphics: 5/5

Visually this title is sublime. Bethesda succeeded in building a game that looks just as stunning as it plays. The graphics, though not photo realistic, do a perfect job at crafting a world that allows for that total immersion effect. You’ll get lost in the game staring off into the distant forests as you try to soak in all the detail in front of you. While playing I kept experiencing moments where I would have to take a screen shot then stare in awe at the landscapes that looked like they belonged in a Bob Ross painting (tons of happy little bushes). Even the sky adds to the flare with its twin moons and the constellations that match the perks menu. The attention to detail that was poured into this game is unreal. If the point of graphics is to place a veil over your eyes to hide the numbers going on in the background then Skyrim has succeeded tremendously. Not to mention that with the recent addition of the High Resolution texture pack this work of art looks ever better.


Overall: 4.75

The acclaim for Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls series continues with this latest installment. The scale of Skyrim is immense but what makes this delicious game cake so captivating is how every bit of it is chock full of enjoyment. Each side quest, sub story, and bounty you go on has the makings of a grand adventure you can’t predict until you’re in the thick of it. The freedom to be who you want paired with a beautiful world that expands as far as the eye can see makes for an addictive combo. You can easily spend forty hours plus playing and still not scratch the service of what this title has to offer. As someone who went into this game a skeptic I am walking out a believer with a high standard for the games I play in the future. The variety to be and do what you want gives a freedom that lets your imagination get lost in this masterpiece. When it comes to massive time sinks this one comes platinum clad. Fus Ro Dah!

Rundown:

+  Intense combat that can be exicuted in a variety of styles
+  Beautiful world to explore that's as expansive as it is breathtaking
+  Story the develops and reacts to your choices.
+  Hours of game play allows you to get lost in this massive title
+  Incredibly user friendly allowing even a newcomer to the sandbox style to    enjoy

-  Main storyline not as compelling as rest of game.
-  A.I. at times not so intelligent.

Star Wars: The Old Republic Review

Star Wars: The Old Republic
Should have let the wookiee win...
By Zach Dixon


Imagine if you will for a moment: You’re a Jedi Master, letting the Force flow through you as you take out the enemies of justice and peace. Igniting your double-bladed lightsaber, robes flowing with speed and grace, sending debris and kinetic energy at your foes. At the end you are standing tall and your opponents are down on the ground. Now imagine how awesome that just seemed in your mind, and take away about 80% of the cool factor. Yes you still have a lightsaber, robes, and flying debris, but without the grace or form of an actual Jedi Master (yes I realize that they are fictitious). That was how my initial impressions of Star Wars: The Old Republic faded in a mere 8 weeks of playing. 

Gameplay 3/5
I believe the one thing that could keep people invested in an MMORPG such as Star Wars: The Old Republic, is content and gameplay. I will discuss both with out going over the bugs, as many of us know, bugs have and will happen often in a new release. These as well as balancing are eventually fixed.

As far as content goes Star Wars has a good amount up until arriving at end game. This though is understandable since it’s still in the infancy stages. At this time, there are two full raids which can both be completed on Normal mode in about three hours. I personally have done this, then gone back to attempt harder difficulties. There are 6 instances that have a Hard Mode, that actually pose more of a challenge than the Raids. There’s also a PvP Ranking system that you can commit to in order to earn better gear. In the end, once the story is over, you end up repeating the same things over and over in order to get slightly better gear so you can repeat the process and maybe have an easier time. A routine that gets old quickly for someone who played the raid, rinse, and repeat MMO for 3 years.

The questing while you level up is quite standard, but it is executed efficiently and you never question where you need to go due to a very well made map. The story quests while you level up will definitely keep you involved, but when the story came to a conclusion, so did my interest.

The gameplay is your standard click-and-pray style that seems to be a favorite of MMO developers. You pick your target then select an ability which activates a cooldown and uses some of your resources. I realize this is a very simple breakdown of combat which is faster paced and just slightly more complicated, but that is basically it. It’s based off of quick random number generator systems where you hope that your stat numbers are enough to overwhelm the enemy’s stat numbers.

I had a quest to cut down that ice mountain with my lightsaber.

A big problem for me was the clustering of abilities on a non-customizable interface that left me constantly looking at my cooldowns and buffs and less at my character executing. The game became a much more expensive version of Simon Says with some lightsaber sound effects. Which leads me to another issue I had, the user interface. It was ok, but you could not scale or move anything around. And bioware has stated that they are not supporting Mods for the game, at least for a while.

Some positive things for me were the Companions, just from a purely gameplay perspective. Every character will have at least 5 companions by the level 50. They end up being basically pets that will accompany you while you quest that will be able to tank, heal, or do damage, depending on which one you pick to go with you. They also are a way for you to craft things as well as gathering if you have the money to do so.

I should also mention the Space Combat mini game. Your ship can be equipped with gear just like yourself and your companions, but with a lot less complexity in terms of stats. You can then use the ship to play a mini game that has you on rails, flying and shooting your enemies to make money and gain experience. The levels are repeatable but don’t give much reward after you complete the the mission the first time. But it is a good escape from leveling grinding (Not that there is much “grinding” per say).

So, the gameplay is just ok. Nothing will blow you away, but you also will feel at home with the industry standards it has implemented.

3 men, an island, and a pizza place

Graphics/Aesthetics: 3.5/5
Not much to say about the graphics besides that this game has them. The look is designed mainly for longevity, which is a smart decision considering Biowars long term goals. Those that go for a “realistic” look often start to look tawdry in a few years. The graphics pass for good enough, but will not cause any moments of awe.

Story: 4.5/5
I am a huge Star Wars fan. I worshipped the films as a child,  have read almost all of the Expanded Universe books, played the games, and read the comics. I devour anything Star Wars. Coming from Bioware, the company that created Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, I knew the story would be a strong point in TOR. Knights had one of the best sagas in star wars, so needless to say I had high hopes. I was thoroughly satisfied with the story that I went through, which was that of the Jedi Consular class. Each class has it’s own story line. That’s 8 unique stories that you can play through, each one having you travel across the galaxy.

Sometimes clothes bugged for story events!

I played through one, and started every other one. Personally I loved my story, saving the galaxy, taking down evil, and creating peace between societies. It was what a Jedi was meant to be. Although because you can make Light Side or Dark Side choices, you can play through this story as a great evil if you choose to. Vice versa, if you were playing on the Empire, you have the ability to make good decisions and be a good person in a society that rewards dark actions.

I won’t spoil any story lines, but would suggest you to experience it yourself and make it your own with the choices available. The story is what made leveling a joy. Once this is over though, and you reach max level, there is nothing but repeating the same thing to hold your interest into the game. If there were more missions that didn’t reward anything but more story, I would of enjoyed this game more. 

Overall 3.7/5
As far as my dreams are concerned they remain where they have always been. I will continue to wait until an experience that I want comes my way. If you wanted an MMO like World of Warcraft, but with lightsabers instead, you’ll find The Old Republic to be exactly what your looking for. But if you’re like me, and were hoping something that continues to engage your brain through creative and innovation then you might as well pass. I hope those who choose to play it enjoy it, but for now, the galaxy I’m in is just fine for me.

I played Star Wars: The Old Republic, and all I got was this silly hat.

Review of Bastion (PC)

Bastion: Breathtakingly beautiful yet deviously destructive.
By Devan La Spisa


If the jaw dropping visuals weren’t enough, this game takes the simple hack n’ slash genre and hones it to near-perfection leaving very little to be wanted. Unique is the key word here and Bastion does not hold back. Delivering a game that is not only told in fresh new style but relived in such a clever way that it's simply awe inspiring. The gameplay holds its own with a fluid combat system full of tense, white knuckle boss encounters and waves of enemies that will push your reflexes to their limits. Not skimping on the content either, Bastion serves up hours upon hours of levels and challenges to master. This game fails to disappoint, giving us many reasons to keep playing after the staff credits roll.


Story: 4/5
Now even though I wouldn’t say the story was the selling point for me when it came to Bastion, its not a negative by any means. You pretty much start off in your bed surrounded by nothing except the shattered fragments that use to be your room. The second you starting hitting the keys and take your first step a voice, that sounds like a cross between Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman, begins narrating your every move. From your wild swinging blows to when bosses try to take you down to even when you mess up and slip off the edge, this guy is telling it all. He is pretty good at it too, adding a cool almost spaghetti western-like flavor to the game as you fight your way through each stage. The overall premise of the story is that some massive Calamity hit your home and the only thing that can save it is this floating island called the Bastion (oh snap title drop). You somehow have this sprocket device on your back that allows you to travel throughout the world and collect shards that will return the land back to normal. So its up to you to go out and save your home from this horrid destruction while being advised by a very chill old man. Even though the tale starts out a bit slow it definitely picks up towards the end.


Gameplay: 4.5/5
Easily my favorite part of this game is the combat hands down! Its fast paced and adds to the enjoyment as opposed to just being something you do to get through the game. The controls handle very smoothly regardless if you are using the keyboard or a gamepad. There is no shortage of weapons either; since by the last level you have over a dozen to choose from. Everything from pistols and swords to even a  mortar cannon that could have been the cause of the Calamity in the first place. The ability to customize your arsenal and yourself as well with different upgrades and special abilities allows you to really craft your own personal combat style. Overall a very sweet package that makes battling your way through each level just as fun if not more then finding out what happens next in the story.

Graphics: 5/5
The amount of eye candy in this game is enough to give your pupils diabetes. With each step you unveil a beautiful kaleidoscope of color and detail not often seen in a low price indie title. But what makes the visuals so impressive is how they are implemented so smoothly into the game. Your world rises from the void below piecing itself together as you explore further into each area. Making you feel as if you are walking around a piece of art as the artist paints your world around you to suit your every need. Usually a game isn’t playable simply on the graphics alone but Bastion’s hand painted style is the exception to the rule. From start to finish you are being taken though this storybook world with each page more captivating than the last. If more games adapted Bastion’s style of art and creativity, I would be there to experience it in a heartbeat.


Overall: 4.5/5
Even if the beat em’ up is not your style there are many aspects to enjoy about this game. A visual masterpiece that requires little to no learning, just a love for fast paced high action gameplay. What makes this title really stick out is how every part of the game is so polished leaving very little room for anything to be truly lacking. The whole package weaves this epic tale that draws you in, giving players those heart pounding ‘How did I make it!?’ levels from start to finish. Even the price which currently sits at $15 on the steam network sweetens the pot. Making this not only affordable for most budgets but giving a game which offers a full price title worth of content for only a fraction of the cost. All in all if you’re thinking of getting this game then its about time you make that purchase. 


Rundown:

+   Beautiful hand painted graphics
+   Fast paced action driven gameplay
+   Low cost on Steam Network
+   High amount of customization options for weapon & character abilities
+   Simple learning curve
+   Lots of content and game plus mode gives replay value

-   Story a bit dry at some points