Then and Now: The Retail Games of 2011
Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 5:19PM
Ernie in reviews


As we venture into the expansive unknown of 2012, we should take time to look back and reflect on all that was 2011; friends, family, lovers, experiences, and the games! As the $60 titles of yesteryear begin to fall in price, I think this is a good time for an overview on some of the highlights and lowlights of the year. There are many excellent games that I have not had the pleasure of playing - Arkham City, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - and many others I had no desire to play - Battle Gears of Duty 3 - so please keep in mind this list compiles what I have gotten extensive time with. With many a clearance sale either upon us or coming soon, let me tell you what to use yo' mama's credit card on!


Dead Space 2

Then Score: 8 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 8 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: Dead Space 2 does exactly what it set out to do, which is continue the tradition of twisted, survival-horror action the original Dead Space set the stage for. There are nods to other parts of the Dead Space lore -- the last few chapters blew my mind -- which will keep anyone who's a series historian amused, but even if Dead Space 2 is your first experience with Visceral Games' visceral game, you will not be disappointed.

Retrospect: Though I only played through this game once, you can rest assured that I'll play it again before Dead Space 3's imminent release. I'm 100 percent positive Dead Space 2 will stand the test of time and be just as engrossing then as it was when its first chills were felt down my spine.
Buy it!


Marvel vs. Capcom 3

Then Score: 8 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 3 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: Was the decade long wait worth it for Marvel vs. Capcom 3? Maybe not, but regardless, we have a solid entry in Capcom's legendary Versus series. While there still may be some balance issues between characters, they're just a patch away from being rectified. And with pick-up-and-play access for casuals, as well as the deep combo ability for the hardcore, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has something for everyone, no matter who you may be.

Retrospect: So much can change in 8 months. Capcom has a nasty habit of adding characters, "tweaking" engines, rebranding and rereleasing games after a year or so, which we've all become accustomed to now. But 8 months? That's a new low. Marvel vs. Capcom 3 had a grand total of TWO downloadable characters before Capcom decided to release Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, in the ultimate money grab of the year. It was not a good year for the Cap, as this debacle was just one of many that caused fans to lose much faith and respect for the company, myself included.
Don't buy it!


Killzone 3

Then Score: 7 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 7 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: Killzone 3 offers an intense experience in campaign, almost akin to playing a Hollywood blockbuster, though in the end I'm not sure if it brings anything new or refreshing to the table. While the story is great, to get the most of it you'll have to have played the earlier titles of the series. And while the multiplayer is both fun and satisfying, the over-the-top action found in the campaign cannot be successfully reproduced online.

Retrospect: I enjoyed playing Killzone 3, though after beating the campaign and logging a few hours in multiplayer, I never felt compelled to fire up the ol' red goggles again. While I think fans of the Modern Warfare series who are looking for something a little less full of itself will really enjoy KZ3's multiplayer, I just couldn't get into it. That said, the Michael Bay action and production of the main story line shouldn't be overlooked, especially if it can be had on the cheap.
Buy it!


Dragon Age II
Then Score: 6 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 5 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: Between critical and commercial reception, negative press, and developers attempting to give their own game positive reviews, Dragon Age II has had a rough go of it. As much as I was looking forward to this, it fails to live up to the strong standards of Dragon Age: Origins. A story full of holes and a cast of characters that make a sloth look like a slapstick comedian does not help this title's cause. If BioWare treated this as more of a proper sequel, and spent time fleshing out the story and creating interesting tales for the entire cast, Dragon Age II may have been able to live up to it's predecessor.

Retrospect: Looking back, this game was a pretty massive waste of my time. The only reason I trudged on was to get this review done. To top it off, this may be one of the only games that I purchased this year and sold immediately after beating it. That's right, I immediately knew I'd never want to venture back to Kirkwall after getting myself the hell out of there.
Don't buy it!


Portal 2

Then Score: 9 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 10 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: Sequels have a nasty habit of not living up to their predecessors. Fortunately, Portal 2 bucks the trend, and winds up being an incredible experience. While taking 10-15 minutes to figure out a puzzle can be frustrating, once you eventually discover the solution, not only do you feel like an imbecile for missing something so obvious, you're smacked in the face with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Don't let it linger though, because odds are you'll be stuck again shortly thereafter. The greatest fault may be that the ending theme is not as good as "Still Alive", and for me to come away from Portal 2 holding that as its main flaw, I can think of no better indication that Valve is doing it right.

Retrospect: Immediately after beating Portal 2, I knew it was a game of the year contender. I was faced with an internal conflict of giving it a 9 or a 10 for sometime, and eventually settled on a 9 as it was just short of perfection. Now I realize Portal is one of the most perfect games I've played this year because of how harmoniously each of its parts came together, with few if any flaws to be found. I'm sure to play Portal 2 a few more times before Portal 3 releases, if that ever happens. And even if we are blessed with a third installment, I may still go back and play this title to remind me what exactly what magnificence is.
Buy it!


Mortal Kombat

Then Score: 8 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 9 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: Mortal Kombat has done its duty; it's injected a shot of adrenaline into a well respected yet fading franchise. I can say, without shame, I spent all of last weekend playing Mortal Kombat with friends, and while the desire to play something else appeared, each time it was quelled, and we returned to the mostly competitive and always fun versus matches. Mortal Kombat has something for everyone, be you a fan of the originals, a fighting game puritan, a gore monger, or just a casual who wants some action and laughs.

Retrospect: Mortal Kombat easily takes the cake as my fighting game of the year. How easily, you ask? It was played for at least 8 hours every weekend from its release date until late November. My crew and I played it so much, we're pretty confident we could hold our own in tournament matches. At one point, I even considered renting an event space and hosting my own damn tournament and inviting enthusiasts from across the East Coast. There was decent post-release DLC support, just not enough. But it's all good. All that matters now is the sequel. Netherrealm, Y U NO ANNOUNCE SEQUEL YET?
Buy it!


Brink

Then Score: 7 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 4 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: Pre-launch, I had very high hopes for Brink that have since been grounded. Fortunately, updates can be quickly and easily applied by Splash Damage, and they are committed to straightening out the ills that were shipped along with their lofty shooter. I'm led to believe the lag issue should be fully resolved soon. Hopefully the devs look into weapon balance next, as it seems that shotguns and SMGs make pistols, sniper rifles, and assault rifles seem like Nerf weapons. We can expect plenty of support for extra content; free DLC maps have already been confirmed for early summer, and hopefully we'll see more free customization DLC as well. Brink aimed high and came up quite a bit short, however there is still a chance for the game to right its wrongs through instant apply patches and downloadables.

Retrospect: Damn, what happened to Brink? Seems like everyone gave up on this game: players, publisher, developer. Really just sad how it all went down. The faith I had in Splash Damage to patch up a game with so much promise was just a wasted thought, with all of ONE piece of DLC released. Granted it was free for two weeks, it still didn't justify the game's original $60 tag. Of course, these days you can find Brink for $10 or less, though what good will a purely online game be on servers that are ghost towns? Brink alienated players, so players alienated Brink. C'est le jeu.
Don't buy it!


L.A. Noire

Then Score: 9 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 8 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: L.A. Noire is not perfect - there are a few holes in the story that bothered me, some key characters were not fully fleshed out, a twist at the end didn't feel organic, and the ending was left a little to open for my taste - but it's still a damn good game, offering a new experience that you'd be hard pressed to find in any other game, past, present, or near future. Detective work is a rough and tumble job, as you will undoubtedly experience when you discover you've charged an innocent man with a brutal crime, sentencing him to death, and you to deal with his blood on your hands. L.A. Noire is as much a study in sociology as it is a video game, which isn't at all as boring as it sounds. This game will keep you locked in from start to finish.

Retrospect: Not much has changed in my opinion of L.A. Noire. Unfortunately, Team Bondi's disbanding means we'll never get that well deserved Kelso-centric sequel, but alas.. This is an innovative, experimental title that should be played by all at least once. I'm not sure if or when something like L.A. Noire will ever hit consoles again.
Buy it!


Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3

Then Score: 6 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 6 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: Though they're never groundbreaking or overly impressive, the Dynasty Warriors games always bank. Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 is more of the same. Nothing to rave over, but it's solid Musou action that appeals to a second niche in Gundam fans. Mobile suit enthusiasts will find much to enjoy in the bountiful amount of missions and custom-built machines. I wish some of the less mainstream side stories and pilots had found their way into this one, but alas, I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed they expand onto other series (and add licensed music) come Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 4. With plenty of options and a deep and continually expanding history, this may be one of the best Musou games to date.

Retrospect: Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 is one of those titles I wanted to go back and play a lot more. There were tons of other mobile suits and pilots to unlock when I stopped playing, which sings praise of the amount of content offered within. I always thought there wasn't much a Musou game could add to switch the experience up, but after seeing some of what Dynasty Warriors: One Piece will look like, I've been proven wrong.
Don't buy it!


El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron

Then Score: 9 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 8 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: El Shaddai is visually stunning. You will not play many games that look like this in your lifetime, and that alone makes it worth your time. Like any good game, El Shaddai has its flaws, and whether or not it's worth $60 is a big question mark. However fans of psychedelic artistic innovation will be overjoyed with this Old Testament tale.

Retrospect: $60 for a glorified platformer may seem like a steep price to pay, and it is. Thankfully, you can find El Shaddai these days for around half of that, and at that price it's a no brainer, especially if you're an advocate of natural mind-altering substances. Though people liked to bitch about it, I had absolutely no qualms about buying this game at full price. If I had an 60 inch screen in a frame on my wall, I would keep video of El Shaddai on loop all day long. That's how highly I think of this game.
Buy it!


Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Then Score: 8 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 8 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: When all is said and done, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a winner, especially if you're willing to put in the time. The story will only truly reward those who invest their minutes digging through hacked email accounts, discovering displaced pocket secretaries, and noting the words of the omnipresent voice of Eliza Cassan. My game took damn near 30 fleeting hours, and I hope yours does as well. There is enough within to reward a casual playthrough, but for the most enjoyment you'd best go HAM - hard as a motherfucker. By game's end, I feel as though some strings were left untied, but the eventual DLC - one of which has already been announced - and impending sequel should handle those concerns, even if the all but guaranteed replay sessions do not. Make time in your schedule to play this one. Fans of depth, intricacies, and more tactics than your typical first-person shooter will find love within.

Retrospect: Sadly, I never found the time to replay DXHR, nor did I have an opportunity to download and play the DLC, which covers a big chunk of missing campaign timeline. This is no strike against the game itself, which still stands as one of the best of the year and one that should be played by all, even if it left something to be desired at certain points. Also, have people stopped bitching about the boss fights yet?
Buy it!


RAGE

Then Score: 8 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 7 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: Rage is fucking gorgeous, the gunplay is heavy and intense, and the atmosphere is a cut above much of the rest. However, the experience is adversely affected by a completely empty story, empty characters, and a bit of a forced paced toward the end of the game, which left much to be desired. There is a lot to do in campaign, if you deviate from the main story arc there are a decent amount of side missions and mini-games to keep you held over for 15-18 hours of play. Just expect to do much of a the same over and over. If you're looking for some of the sexiest graphics around coupled with solid battle segments, look no further. Though if you want something with inventive gameplay, a little more depth, and a strong narrative, this may not be the title for you.

Retrospect: The gadgets, weapons, action, and atmosphere of RAGE are still a vivid memory in my mind. The multiplayer, as surprisingly good as it was, is now but an afterthought. A first person shooter without first person shooter deathmatches was refreshing at first, though I think it really worked toward the detriment of this one. As awesome as it was switching between weapons and ammo types on the fly, it's a damn shame I was never given the opportunity to use EMP buckshot on a shielded human opponent. Still, I think RAGE is pretty enjoyable, and was not nearly deserving of all the hate dumped upon it by those who were expecting an iD classic a la Doom. That said, there are better options available in the genre, and RAGE may be better off as a rental than a buy. 
Don't buy it!


Dark Souls

Then Score: 8 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 8 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: Dark Souls, much like Demon’s Souls, is not for everyone. One friend sat through 15 minutes of my adventure before saying “this game sucks” and going to load up Gears of War 3 in the next room. This is not an action packed affair. It’s a deliberate dance of death, one that interested parties will be consumed by for weeks, possibly months. There is no hard level cap, it is possible to boost all your stats to 99, and I feel like parts of the game will demand max stats to overcome. Dark Souls is deep and desolate, unexplained and often misunderstood. The frustration of trying to successfully pass any given area is quickly wiped away once your goal is achieved. There is no finer feeling than finally slaying a demon, or deftly avoiding a gauntlet of booby traps after some memorization fueled trial and error. If you enter the experience with intentions to conquer all challenges in 8 hours, prepare to die. If you grind, level, and acquire the best items 100 hours in, prepare to die. There is no way around it.

Retrospect: I still haven't manned up enough to venture back into the world of Dark Souls, though I do plan on it at some point. The difficulty, while frustrating, is a challenge that I want to eventually overcome, if only for bragging rights. My New Year's resolution is locking myself in a candlelit room with nothing but Dark Souls and some tissues to mop up my tears, and dammit, I will not emerge until that game has been conquered. Yeah, who am I kidding?
Buy it!


Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
Then Score: 8 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 8 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: These days, most of my games get shelved after they've been played to completion. I fear Ace Combat: Assault Horizon will be in my rotation for a bit longer, to conquer the campaign on increased difficulties, and to revel in blissful barrage of bullets that is deathmatch. Project Aces has crafted a masterful airborne experience, with renowned author Jim DiFelice's surprisingly strong and simple script as a backbone. Mastering the dogfight repays the learning curve with utter allure, sure to hypnotize even the most stalwart critics. Fans of fighter jets and airborne combat need look no further; you have just found your new favorite game.

Retrospect: Assault Horizon did exactly what it had to do: entertain me for a few weeks. I have always been a huge fan of military tech, especially the fighter jets, so this latest Ace Combat was a wonderful revival that I enjoyed from start to finish. The story was unspectacular, but it was just good enough to tie together the continually reoccuring segments of bullets and explosions.
Buy it!


Uncharted 3
Then Score: 8 outta 10 Blasters!
Now Score: 7 outta 10 Blasters!
Review: Maybe I was so spoiled by Uncharted 2 that I feel the follow up can't fill big brother's shoes. The story feels rushed and not as fleshed out as it could have and probably should have been, but there is still much fun to be had. Though as mentioned earlier, everything takes a back seat to the action. Uncharted 3 has been Mass Effect 2'd, if you will. The game has been stripped down to gun fights, fist fights, collapsing structures, and foot-chases. Both fans of the series and newcomers will enjoy Uncharted 3; what's not to like? Though if you fell in love with the series for its variety, strong characters, and superb storytelling, prepare to be disappointed.

Retrospect: Of the games I played this year, Uncharted 3 would be the most disappointing if not for Brink. What a bummer this turned out to be. Maybe all of Naughty Dog's top writers were too busy working on The Last of Us to deliver a worthy successor to Uncharted 2. I'm very on the fence about recommending Uncharted 3 as a buy; it's a fine game on its own, but as a mere a shell of the title that came before it, you may be better off spending your time and money elsewhere.
Don't buy it!


The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Score: 10 outta 10 Blasters!
Micro Review: I've yet to write an official review of Skyrim, though my Google+ and Twitter feed has been filled with goodies on the most recent of The Elder Scrolls games. Skyrim is a deep and complex affair, that is scarred by certain glitches and bugs, but still manages to offer an infinite amount of things to do and kill, with an assortment of ways to come to those ends. When it comes to Skyrim, the most popular thing to do - aside from making terrible 'arrow to the knee' jokes - is to trade war stories with other players; stories that are completely unique to the person who experienced it. It's like Skyrim transports its players into a real world, one all their own, where the destinations may be much like everyone else's, but the experiences are not. Look for a full review once I feel like I've completed enough of the main storyline, which may never happen..
Buy it!


Star Wars: The Old Republic
The Score: N/A
Micro Review: It's pretty much impossible to review an MMO, which is why I have no plan to do so. But I will hit you with a shit load of live play streams and random impressions here and there. This game is really, really good so far. Granted I've only spent a limited time as a Jedi et al, but I am ready to crown The Old Republic as the next big thing in the massively mulitplayer arena. Why? Story! Each character has their own unique set of primary quests that are fully fleshed out and impeccably voiced (for the most part). Gone are the days of reading through impenetrable walls of text to discover the lore and mythos of your latest adventure, Star Wars: The Old Republic screams for your attention with its demanding-for-an-MMO graphics, slick polish, and well-written story. The downsides? Monthly fees in a genre that's going mostly free to play, and ridiculous server loads which force some to wait in queue for hours. And though I'm not there, I wonder what happens when the main quest lines end, and the game becomes more like your typical MMO: an end-game raiding 9 to 5. We'll see, but for now, I'm one with the Force.
Buy it!

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