Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Zen Studios

Originally published in July 2009, reprinted for additional content.

Few things in my life actually bring back childhood memories. Lemons, “The Goonies” and pinball. The lemons is a long story. “The Goonies” is obvious. But pinball? Yes, it was nothing short of magical to go to the arcade with my father and beat that shiny marble ball around inside those exotic tables of gaming goodness. So when I was given the chance to play Zen Pinball on the Playstation 3, I knew I’d be rehashing those fond memories.

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Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Visceral Games
Genre: Action
Release date: Available now

Before I start this review, I must clarify that I will not be comparing Dante’s Inferno to the God of War series. With that said, Dante’s Inferno is loosely based on the classic poem The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. EA’s new franchise hopes to raise a few eyebrows with this interpretation, but most importantly, does it raise a couple of thumbs up?

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Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer
Release date: Available now

I must state first that I’m a sucker for a good Mario game. When Nintendo announced New Super Mario Bros. Wii, I couldn’t help but think of the sweet nostalgia I would be experiencing. This rendition is a revisit of the classic platformer of 1985 that catapulted this franchise to godlike status. However, this time around there are a couple of new twists added to the mix. So let us put on our plumber’s caps for one more go around.

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Publisher: Sparkplay Media
Developer: Sparkplay Media
System requirements: Windows XP/Vista/Win 7; 1.7 GHz Pentium III or better CPU; 1 GB RAM for Win XP (1.5 GB for Vista/Win 7); 128 MB graphics card with Shader Model 2.0; Broadband Internet connection
Genre: MMORPG
Release date: 2010

When anybody refers to a browser-based MMO, a couple of things come to mind: stripped and limited. Unlike their retail software counterparts, these games can lack the depth that MMOs such as World of Warcraft possess. Sparkplay Media is hoping to bridge this gap with Earth Eternal. Touted as the “real browser MMO,” Earth weaves together elements of other MMOs and community internet boards such as Facebook, Twitter, etc, to create a promising game that is accessible even when you are not at your home computer.

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While 2010 is in full swing, I am still held back. I came to this conclusion while looking at my gaming shelf. Straight up, I am an impulsive buyer of games. Aimless games just sit there on my shelf with no purpose, but for the fact I thought I would like (or wanted) to play them at the time. In the end, this has done nothing but cost me tons of moolah.

While looking at each title I purchased last year, I tried to remember the mental state I was in and how I tried to justify each purchase. A game that jumped out at me was Halo ODST. Now, sure it’s a Halo game, so it must to have been good, right? I was wrong. I clearly fell victim to the hype (as usual) and bought the game. Have I touched it since? Absolutely not! Another title I bought this year, mostly out of sheer boredom, was Street Fighter 4. Don’t get me wrong, this is a great fighting game. However, did it justify $60? Not really. Which leads me to my next conclusion: value.

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As 2009 comes to a close, a rather quick close I must say. The term “Game of the Year” gets thrown around more than a baby that just shat its diaper in a room full of people wearing white gloves. With so many titles cross-platform and few exclusives, it’s become difficult to say there is a game of the year! In retrospect to simply award a “game of year” to a console version of a cross-platformed title, would be a disservice to that console experience. So after much deliberation with me myself and I, I am going to breakdown my “Game of the Year” by console and one title that is cross platformed.

Wii – Muramasa: The Demon Blade – Move over Mario Brothers your formula has been done time and time again. Muramasa is the step in the right direction for exclusive third party titles from the makers of Odin Sphere. I love a good platforming game, but a platforming title with RPG elements inspired by mythological Japan is a winner in my book. Aside from the quirky control scheme, this title is a fluid living painting waiting to be uncanvassed. You will venture through various landscapes and architectures to unveil two distinct storylines. Did I mention the plethora of blades you will come across? You owe it to yourself to play this game.

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Publisher: Ronimo Games
Developer: Ronimo Games
Genre: Real Time Strategy
Release date: Available now

If gaming history has proven anything to us, it’s this: Real-time strategy games on consoles have never really worked out. But sometimes, people learn from their mistakes. When I was given Swords and Soldiers, I was more than reluctant to play. My RTS background is on the PC; I was already a little biased to the genre. But you at least have to try things once, right?

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This past summer has honestly been one I will never forget, but also one that I really do not want to remember. My father, Elmer Daniel Moody, passed away on June 1st. This past year he had been battling a rare cancer of the small intestines which spread to his liver, and while doctors had stated that we would not have to worry for a “little” while, his heart gave way. He died of a heart attack at 67.

Since his passing, much self reflection has led me to conclude that my father made the greatest impact on my life thus far. His honorable disposition in life is one I have seen in few. I know this may sound cliché, but I truly witnessed his full impact on others at the funeral. He affected so many lives. I was in awe. It wasn’t the fact he did great things, but his life was a testament that he did little things with a great amount of love and every action and word he spoke came from the heart.

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Publisher: Nobilis Games
Developer: Frozenbyte
Genre: Action Adventure
Release date: June 2009

A new game for the PS3 and the PC is poised to change our perception of current 2D side-scrollers. Lauri Hyvärinen and his crew at Frozenbyte are putting the finishing touches on Trine, a fantasy game that utilizes physics as a primary element of its interface.

Trine brings something new to the gameplay table. It possesses unique visual and auditory panache in a fantasy setting, but its physics-based interface is what will likely make it stand out. According to Hyvärinen, “while our physics bring neat ragdoll deaths, they also are something the player must use in order to pass various puzzles and obstacles. I think Trine brings something new to the fantasy genre of games – or to games altogether for that matter.” Physics is an essential component of the gameplay, with each puzzle requiring you to move objects such as counterweights or swings to solve them.

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I must say I cannot wait until summer! Gaming has been an afterthought to all the work I have been doing. My job and school have absorbed most of my time. Now, this is not necessarily a bad thing. I mean I have to excel at something. However, my hands miss the comfort of that 360 controller. Ah, ok, back to reality.

I do have some exciting news. First, for all you nay sayers of the Obama Stimulus Package, here is a little something to think about. The money provided is actually opening up new jobs. Huh, what a concept?! Because of the stimulus package, our school district is not going to cut as many jobs as originally conceived, while at the same time it will open jobs for federally funded programs. So where does this apply to me you may ask? Well, next year I am going to be a fully-fledged special education teacher! I will run my own classroom. I really cannot wait to take on such an honorable position. I love and care for these children and to be in such an influential role is remarkable. Another great example is a person I am currently working with. She was offered a job to work in the school district as a direct result of the funds.

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Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ludia Inc.
System: Wii
Genre: Sim
Release date: Available now
Review by: Michael Moody

Since the Wii’s conception, developers and publishers have jumped on the bandwagon to push the casual gaming market to a new level. The dizzying array of titles has swamped the market faster than you can shake the Wiimote. Hell’s Kitchen, inspired by the hit Fox TV series, is a new game on the casual chopping block. Does Hell’s spark a flame or is it just another title in this marketing frenzy?

Hell’s Kitchen focuses on preparation, cooking and service. You must master these skills to avoid the juvenile tantrums of Chef Gordon Ramsay. Acting as Ramsay’s apprentice, you must quickly accommodate each customer in the dining hall by making sure that they are seated and their orders are taken. In the kitchen, you must prepare the food. Each meal has its meat, veggie and fruit ingredients and has an allocated time to cook. The quality of the prepared dishes is measured in stars. If the food is cooked and sits too long unserved, the star rating decreases. The goal is to get the food out of the kitchen as soon as possible by clicking and dragging the provided icons. Ramsay’s temperament (indicated by a flaming meter on the screen) fluctuates depending on how well these tasks are completed. If your pace is slow, the indicator increases, and vice versa if your pace is swift.

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Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
System: PS3
Genre: Action
Release date: Available now
Review by: Michael Moody

What was once a prototype for Resident Evil 2 has become a full fledged franchise of its own. Devil May Cry is the signature series for fast and stylish action. Devil May Cry 4 brings back original creator Hiroyuki Kobayashi, also noted for Resident Evil 4. Does it progress the franchise further as DMC 3 did, or lose its charm like DMC 2? Read to find out. P.S. I promise to keep the story stupid simple and not give anything away.

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Publisher: SCEA
Developer: Naughty Dog
System: PS3
Genre: Action Adventure
Release date: Available now
Review by: Michael Moody

Every so often, a title comes out that tries to capture the magic of a great summer movie while retaining the essence of gameplay we’ve all come to appreciate. Naughty Dog’s Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune is trying to attempt what most games, even movies, fail to achieve. Does Uncharted lose its sense of direction or does Naughty Dog strike it rich?

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Publisher: Sierra Entertainment
Developer: Radical Entertainment
System: Xbox 360
Genre: Action adventure
Release date: Available now
Review by: Michael Moody

Crash Bandicoot’s mascot status has always seemed like the old dog in the lot. Everyone admires and knows it’s there, but it’s never been adopted. Originally developed by Naughty Dog in 1996 for the PlayStation, Crash introduced himself with style, challenges and a unique platform. However, something got lost in the translation when Crash was abandoned by Naughty Dog. After various developers and cross platform efforts, Crash has lost his identity. Radical Entertainment has picked up the franchise with Crash of the Titans, hoping to bring it to its former glory.

Surprise! A damsel is in distress. Crash’s sister, Coco, has been snatched by the masochistic Dr. Neo Cortex and Uka Uka, Aka Aka’s evil brother. This isn’t Cortex’s only motive. By utilizing Wumpa Island’s mojo, Cortex has created various mutants, with which he plans to infest the island. Crash’s only defense against the dejected beings is possessing them with the assistance of Aka Aka and using their powers.

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