In a way, MK vs. DC had to happen to come where we are now with Netherrealm Studio. While the game wasn’t perfect, it did lay the foundation for everything else they eventually got right. Mortal Kombat was a venture back into 2D and into competitive fighting games. Now, instead of mixing the two elements of superheros and deadly combatants, the developers decided to let them reside in their own realm. Is this the battle for the ages? Or a first round knockout?
Next gen is almost here. So I’m going to jump in on the discussion about what we should expect from the next generation of titles, or at least what I want to expect. We’re used to consoles pushing the visuals into the next dimension over each iteration. Even more, that’s expected and a given. But what do we, as gamers, deserve or want to see from what’s on the horizon. I attempt to break that down in a few short and sweet paragraphs.
When the original Bioshock first broke ground on the consoles, it impressed everyone with clever gameplay mechanics, a spell binding and engrossing narrative and inspired visuals. It quickly became not only a cult classic, but one of the definitive games on this generation of consoles. A new IP that gained a significant audience with the sheer quality it presented to the gamer. While Bioshock 2 wavered slightly, it was s till a worthy sequel (although never reaching the heights of the original). Some attributed that to return to Rapture, a city which was squeezed for every bit of exposition the first go-round. Now, the series takes the Far Cry route, that is, changing the setting, the main characters, the philosophical lessons and pretty much everything else but keeping the name. Does visiting Columbia hold the same sense of wonder that the first Bioshock did or is Infinite just another step in the downward spiral of the series?
As far as reputation goes, Blizzard has a pretty stellar one. People line up out the door for their games and ask for more with a smile on their face. The company starts off 2013 with releasing a much anticipated Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm. An expansion set for one of the most iconic strategy games that brings the Zerg, and their enigmatic and now outcast leader – Kerrigan – to the forefront. Is it worth picking up the fight or should you let this one slide?
With Gears of War 3, one of the leading Xbox 360 franchises came to an end. They capped off an exciting trilogy and with all the loose ends tied up, the series had nowhere to go. Or so we thought. Much like Halo, the Gears franchise decided that it is too early to die and returned for another helping with the fans. Is Gears of War: Judgement worth another venture on the battlefield or should you remember the trilogy as it was, at three games.
This sure have been an interesting few weeks. The PS4 is still fresh in our minds, but some of the shine was almost stolen. The emphasis there is on “almost.” Recently, the Xi3 piston was announced and there came a lot of confusion. Let me weight in.
Lara Croft can be considered one of the elder statesmen (stateswomen?) of video games. She, along with Samus Aran and a few other notables are the original female leads of the digital world. Unfortunately things have gotten stale for Ms. Croft over the years. She’s gone from a quality lead character to a stand-in on a b-class sitcom. Honestly, it was time for a reboot, but does it stack up against the series great titles.
