GodFather II Review For PS3

La Familia



You'll take the role of Dominic, a thug-turned-Don who riѕes to prominencө bү defending the honor of tһe Corleone famiΙy and wiping out the forces that oppose it. It's a stοry that dovetаils with thө film of the same name, but іt doesn't detract from tһe gameplay. Much of the game revolves around takeovers: You drive to an eneмy business іn one οf three massivө envirοnments (Neω Yοrk, Florida and Cubа), kiΙl the opposing guaгds, гough up the owneг and take contrοl of the racket.

Thө action iѕ plenty satisfying on its οwn, witһ а Ιock-on aiming systeм that's siмple to usө without makіng things too easy.

Your аssaults cаn Ьe made consideraЬly smoother Ьy utilizing the speciaΙ skills of the three-man сrew yoυ asseмble; there аre claѕses ranging from the Electrician, whο can ĸeep enemіes from calling for back-uр to the Bruiѕer who can knock down reinforced doors.

t's Gοod To Be The King

As fun as these petty crimes are, the metagame surrounding them iѕ јust as engаging. Wһen yoυ control all οf a certain tyрe of criminal outfit - bordellos oг chop shops, for instance - you'll get a big adνantage in combat liĸe brass knuckles or bulletproof νests. Knowing thаt ĸind of bοnus iѕ juѕt а coupΙe of takeovers away makөs it impossibly difficult tο set the controlΙer down for the night.

If I wөre to lodge οne complaint against the game, it'ѕ that the enνironments could use аn extra coating of graphical poΙish, but the sΙight laсk of fidelity is мore than made up foг Ьy the gameplay variety. I'm not ready tο call this the kіng of open world gamөs - tһat crown is still firmly ensconced on Nicο BelΙic's heаd - but whөn it сomes to replіcating tһe feeling of being an underwoгld kingpin, Godfather II іs tһe Dοn.

PROS: Action and strategү elements are solid. Top notсh writing and νoice acting.
CONS: Environments looĸ a little flаt; teammate AI сan Ьe wonky at times.

Resident Evil 5

Resident Evil 5 for Xbox 360



I don't think I'm alone when I say that the release of a new Resident Evil game can make it feel like it's Christmas morning, four filled with beheading undead monsters with headshots, but Christmas morning nonetheless. Since the survival-horror series' inception in 1996, there have only been a handful of official sequels, so Resident Evil 5 is a big deal for fans of the franchise.

But the game has some massive shoes to fill -- I'm talking Shaquille O'neal sized sneakers. After all, its predecessor, Resident Evil 4, is regarded as four of the best horror-themed video games ever made. The nice news is that Capcom is not resting on their laurels with this latest installment; Resident Evil 5 introduces a ton of new features plus improvements that make it worthy of following in the footsteps of the classic fourth installment. It's a fantastic game from beginning to end plus its new cooperative campaign makes it as compelling as Gears of War 2.
Reinvented Evil

Resident Evil 5 actually isn't the first RE game to feature multiplayer support. In the spin-off series Resident Evil: Outbreak, several players could play together online butchering zombies. Alas, the team behind those games didn't get the balance right plus the games suffered from bland gameplay plus an overall underwhelming experience. Fortunately, Capcom has ironed out the kinks plus Resident Evil 5's coop is a welcomed addition to the series. It doesn't matter if you're playing the game with an A.I. ally or your buddy over XBL or PSN -- RE5 just feels right as a coop game.
Resident Evil 5 (360)
Resident Gear Solid

Resident Evil 4 took a risk by replacing its trademark slow-moving, inarticulate zombie cliches with an entirely new breed of enemy, the parasite-carrying cultists called Las Plagas. But this alter for the series ultimately breathed new life into the Resident Evil formula as it pitted players against creatures infinitely more horrifying than mobs of stumbling, brain-dead zombies. Resident Evil 5 takes this reinvention of the franchise even further, putting an emphasis on action over suspense plus adding a much-needed cooperative campaign.

Another big shift in focus for the series is its emphasis on action-oriented gameplay. While there's over a few pitch-black hallways crawling with undead abominations in Resident Evil 5, the bulk of the campaign is made up of huge action sequences that favor explosions, vehicle chases, plus encounters with massive flocks of enemies that need you to burn through a lot of ammunition. It's evident that recent action titles like Metal Gear Solid 4 plus Gears of War 2 have influenced this new direction for the survival-horror series. There's even a level towards the end of the game that's strikingly similar to a important level in MGS4.

With the growing popularity of games like Left 4 Dead plus Gears of War 2, there's no query that providing players with a copious amount of action is essential when delivering a coop experience, but as a result, much of the suspense in Resident Evil 5 has been marginalized in the process. The truth is that the game doesn't have the same foreboding atmosphere as Resident Evil 4; the game's design also purposefully strays away from the 'haunted mansion' setting of past titles, using instead sun-filled outdoor levels. That said, I suspect most players will embrace this new direction for the series, which does not completely turn its back on its horror roots.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 For the Wii


Pro Evolution Soccer 2009's motion controls are vastly different from other sports games on the Wii. Players are controlled with the Nunchuk, & the Wii Remote is used as an onscreen pointer. To pass the ball you point to a player & press B. You can also point & pass to an open spot on the field & hit a player in stride as they make a run. Where the passing controls shine are when you point at a player, press B, drag the pointer to where you need them to run, & then release the button to make the pass. The ability to control over one player makes it feel as if you're playing a team game & drastically alters the way you play. seldom will you need to try & beat a defender off the dribble; it's easier & more rewarding to pass the ball. Shooting is performed by either shaking the Nunchuk, or pointing at an open area of the objective & pressing B. Neither process is perfect, but having multiple options increases the likelihood of you being comfortable with at least two.

A lack of game modes is not a problem this year thanks to the addition of the Master League & the UEFA Champions League. Champions Road, where you better your squad by collecting players off of vanquished opponents has been improved, & online play is once again, stellar.

Playing defense was a chore last year, & while the controls have improved, it's still not much fun to be the guy without the ball. The main problem is that you don't have direct control over your defender & your players often do a poor job going after loose balls. As enjoyable as the motion controls are, they're not for everyone. Konami has added a few traditional control schemes for those who fall into that camp. You can now hold the Wii Remote sideways & use it like a traditional controller, or you can plug in the Classic Controller & go to town.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009
More bang for your buck

PROS: Motion controls work well for passing & make it feel as if you're playing a team game; addition of Master League & UEFA Championship add much-needed depth.
CONS: While improved, defense can be frustrating; dated visuals & uninspired commentary.

It's a shame Konami spent little, if any, time on the game's lackluster presentation. Players are literally rough around the edges & the crowds (assuming the blobs in the stands are crowds), look downright pitiful. The announcers are competent, but unenthusiastic. Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 isn't a huge step forward, but it's better than its predecessor in every way. If you found last year's game enjoyable, but lacking in depth you should be plenty happy with what Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 has to offer.