Game Review | Donkey Kong Country Returns

I have been on a video game kick this year. I've been buying games a bit extensively (I can admit this with all honesty). My favorite so far is Donkey Kong Country Returns for the Nintendo Wii. I finally bought this title a few weeks ago and I have been enjoying the game so far with B. Hit the jump for my full review.

Game Review | Disney's Epic Mickey

Video game creators are feeling very epic this holiday season. Disney's Epic Mickey is not "epic," in my own opinion, but it is very un-Mickey. This game shows the harsh side of being a forgotten cartoon. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit has been holding a grudge against Mickey Mouse for quite some time. Now that Mickey has been dragged into a world that he ironically ruined, he has to right some wrongs—or not. 

Epic Mickey allows gamers to decide whether they will be naughty or nice. You can paint and fix the places you visit, or you can choose to thin them out and destroy them. Not only does the environment get your special touch, the people do as well. You can gain their favor or you can piss them off entirely. Depending on the actions you choose, your play experience will change. 

Certain tasks will help you in the end while others might cause you more work (a LOT more work). If you choose to be mean, you can miss out on special extras. If you are always nice, you might not notice a hidden path or object. In the end, whether you allow your conscience to be your guide or not, Epic Mickey is a fun, slightly different game with an engaging plot.

Graphically, you get some nice 3D atmosphere as well as some 2D, simplified animated stories. You also get some platform action while you head between projectors (and the opportunity to be part of classic Disney cartoon shorts). There are plenty of things to catch the eye—was that a Mickey Mouse phone? Yes, it was, and you can dial it. The music can be somewhat eerie at times ("It's a Small World" for example), but it matches your particular situation. Expect a somewhat nerve-wracking change in music when enemies are present. 

So, if you decide to follow my somewhat erratic post, you're waiting to know whether I'd tell you to purchase this release. Well, as an avid fan of all things Disney, I recommend this game to all my fellow Disney fans. You might not be as impressed if you dislike the franchise. The play is not terribly difficult—you get unlimited lives, and the game saves automatically and often. However, for true gamers, there will be the collection aspect. I enjoy interacting with the other cartoon characters and running errands for them. This makes the gameplay richer and more entertaining. So, should you buy it? I say yes, but if you don't trust me, rent it and see for yourself.

Game Review | Kirby's Epic Yarn

I've played enough of the newly released Kirby's Epic Yarn to give a rather cohesive review. For those who are familiar with Kirby and all of his fluffy pinkness, this new video game will change your thoughts about him. Instead of his usual ability to suck up enemies (and spit them out or copy their abilities), you are a yarn version of Kirby. Gone are the days of sucking things up like only Kirby can. Instead, you can become various vehicles and you use your "lasso" of yarn to grab and destroy enemies or other obstacles. 

I'm torn about the graphics. Some of the backgrounds are very competitive, but the imagination put into each scene is definitely worth more than a small personal issue of mine. The way that sand is shown as unraveling yarn reveals how creative and thoughtful the developers were while they made this piece. After you beat each level, you gain a patch that when properly placed allows you to continue to the next level. 

Besides the usual levels, you can also bring the collected items you've found and add them to an apartment complex. If you bring all of the correct items to an apartment, a friend will move in and additional mini-games will open up to you. It's a good way to keep the gameplay fresh and give you something else to do if you are facing a difficult level. 

Another nice extra is your own place. You can decorate it with anything you find in the levels. Thanks to the beads scattered all over Patch Land, you can purchase more objects or wallpaper/flooring from the stores.

So, if you enjoy the standard platform game but want a bit of a twist, Kirby's Epic Yarn will definitely be worth your hard-earned money. It's great for kids because you can't really die. If you have a friend over, they can even join the fun and you can play the day away. 

Game Review | Trauma Team

I've had some time to consult with my inner surgeon/first response/orthopedic surgeon/endoscopic surgeon/diagnostic consultant/forensic scientist thanks to Atlus' Trauma Team video game. You really get to be "hands-on" with the various fields you can explore. While the dialogue is awful and slow, the actual gameplay is fabulous. You have to stay calm and perform your particular task. This has so many different fields, so it will be a tad bit long. Hit the jump for details.

Image via screenshot of Trauma Team's Official Website

Game Review | Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

I was on the bus with B. the other day and we decided to swap DS games. It was a welcome relief for me because I haven't really purchased a new one in a little while. I decided to try out Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. I was slightly curious how gameplay would be. When you are dealing with the Mario franchise, you can expect innovation and finesse.

I fired up the game and a rather long introduction prepared me for a trip into Bowser's body. Controlling Mario and Luigi at the same time takes a bit of skill—especially when you are in Bowser's bodily fluids (yes, I know that sounds disgusting)—but it's not impossible. The fighting sequences follow the Paper Mario style. You have turn-based combat with the opportunity to dodge enemies (and sometimes inflict more damage).

Yet, it is not this that makes the game exciting. It is the control of Bowser. Mario's enemy of old is finally in your hands and boy does he pack a punch. You not only get to explore the world, you also are able to explore Bowser's body. During some situations, Bowser ends up needing the bros. help to gain strength and stamina. So, whether they like it or not, Mario and Luigi are helping Bowser get the bad guys. It's a fun idea and a very fun game. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for little kids because they won't really feel like reading the dialogue and they could get frustrated with some of the enemies. I say this is good for ages 10+. Also, this means that I think this game is worth the money, even though it's not brand spanking new.

Image via Nintendo

Red and white shoes never looked so good

When you think side-scrolling video games, you will probably think of Mario at first. Then, your second thought might lead you to a nostalgic memory of Sonic the Hedgehog. He and Dr. Eggman have been squaring off for over nearly two decades. This summer, will bring Sonic 4 to the masses as a digital download for all game consoles (I will be downloading it as WiiWare). I can't wait to rev up with updated graphics and hopefully, a rich gameplay experience. Of course, I'll review it here, so look forward to that.

Playing games

Source: Online Education

Game Review | Wii Fit Plus

I was fortunate enough to receive Wii Fit Plus for Christmas. Now, after a few weeks of game play, I think I am ready to talk about it. I never played the original Wii Fit, but it seems that the biggest updates to it were in the addition of several new mini-games and more advanced strength and yoga exercises. However, I'm not here to review Wii Fit, I'm reviewing Wii Fit Plus. There are plenty of great things to say, so hit the jump.

Image via Destructoid

Game Review | New Super Mario Bros. Wii

You have to love Mario. Something about Italian plumbers and Toads just really gets my Wii nerves flowing. Therefore, I'm going to share my New Super Mario Bros. Wii experience with you. Hit the jump for the review.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Ah, the "inbetween-quel". How wonderful is that? It's like a 1/2 game. You remember how Disney released The Lion King 1 1/2? Well, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is to the Kingdom Hearts series what The Lion King 1 1/2 was to the Lion King series—only a video game. It starts out a bit slow. Lots of tutorial (not fun for people who are familiar with Kingdom Hearts from games I and II), but it is necessary for the switch from PS2 to DS (or DSi). Not too much touch-screen action thus far, but lots of regular D-pad and A,B,Y,X combos. Graphics are okay, you can expect as much from Square Enix. Of course, there is the storyline as well—slightly vague, but still intriguing. Would I recommend buying it? At the moment, I'd say wait for my game review. I haven't played enough to be certain. But it's $35, if you have cash to waste, why not?

Something I "Wii"ll buy

November 15th? I'm all over it. You can pre-order now, or you can wait until it drops.

This really is epic

Oswald the Rabbit vs. Mickey Mouse. Two rivals in an interesting plot. The unsuccessful cartoon characters against their successful counterparts. Mickey Mouse plunges into a world controlled by Oswald. Is anyone else as excited as I am that this is going to be on the Wii? To stay up to date on the game's progress, check out Game Informer.

via electro^plankton

Say what now?

Studio Ghibli—amazing Japanese animation studio whose works include Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and the recent release, Ponyo. Nintendo DSi—portable gaming goodness. Game developer Level 5—the creators of the Professor Layton series. Now put them all together and what do you get? A visually stunning RPG (that's role-playing game for my non-video game playing people) called Ninokuni: The Another World. Check out the trailer below. It's in Japanese, but you can kind of get the gist from the visuals. It's not slated to come out until next year, but for a great game like this one seems it will be, I can wait.


Shout out to electro^plankton for his post. Otherwise, I'd be out of the loop.

What makes me really want a PS3

So, I checked out CNET and Final Fantasy XIII is scheduled to drop in Japan this December. The US release should be sometime next year for both PS3 and Xbox 360 unlike the exclusive PS3 release in Japan. The graphics for the latest FF installment are ridiculous. They are so detailed and if the gameplay is as good as it looks, it will play well too. The price is the only ugly tidbit. This might sell for up to $95.

My "Wiishlist"

Nintendo does a good job of coming out with really good games quickly. One that has been out for a while that I have wanted is Wii Fit. Now, they are making it extremely difficult for me to say no. The popular bundle is getting an upgrade. On Monday, you can get your hands on the Wii Fit Plus! Apparently, it includes updates to your favorite exercises and expanded settings. I really want this, but between a Wii Fit Plus bundle and a kitten, a kitten wins. If you already have the Wii Fit bundle, you can buy an upgrade CD for $20. Get your work out on!

Game review | Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box

I previously recommended Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box and I promised a review once I had a chance to play it. Instead of waiting for two more weeks until I completely finish it (and possibly add spoilers), I decided to review it now that I have played it for half a week. In case you don't know, the Professor Layton series consists of casual games depicting a mysterious plot that gamers unravel by solving brainteasers. While most of them are fairly intuitive, you will come across several that will really have you thinking.

So, my thoughts? Well, I'm pleased to say that the sequel to Professor Layton and the Curious Village is much better than I even imagined it would be. They really pulled out the stops on this one. Not only do you have regular brainteasers, but they have also littered the game with minigames. There are also several updates to the interface that make this a really great game. In the previous installment, you were only able to use your memo function on specific puzzles, but now you can open a memo section whenever you like. However, to fully enjoy and understand these games, I would suggest an audience of 13 or older because they are content heavy.

Enough with this. I know you just want the skinny. Would I buy it again? Y-E-S! And there you have it!

Game Recommendation | Wii

Obviously, I am in love with video games and I'd like to throw an upcoming gem out there for your radar. Coming sometime in the not so near future, Nintendo will release New Super Mario Brothers Wii! From the description on the company's site, the game boasts cooperative or competitive multi-player goodness (up to 4 participants at once). This should not only make the game more enjoyable, but more interactive. Also, they are hinting at a new Penguin Mario! CUTE!

Game recommendation | DSi

I know that not everyone in the world has a DSi, but I do. I have discovered that I am happy with casual games. They keep me from becoming too addicted (like I am to k-dramas). Anyway, if you have a DSi (or a DS), I recommend getting Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box. It comes out on August 24th and it is going to be good. This is a sequel to the charming and challenging Professor Layton and the Curious Village. If you haven't played the first one, you should pick it up along with the Diabolical Box. If you don't have a DSi, you should consider getting one.

The first installment of the Professor Layton series was enough to have me spending hours trying to decipher and solve puzzles and other mysteries. The soundtrack was okay and you could easily play while listening to your own music or in silence. The controls are easy to pick up and the gameplay is paced very well in terms of moving from easy to tough puzzles as you progress through the game.

In short, go to the site and give the demos a whirl. If you don't like it, that's on you. I will definitely get this at some point, so look out for my game review to come soon.