Jan 4, 2012

Raiden has always been a controversial character. His debut performance in Metal Gear Solid 2 was at the expense of a protagonist, Solid Snake, who was well loved by gamers. With his flowing, golden locks, androgynous appearance and a sneaking suit that hugged his buttocks far too tightly, Raiden was the antithesis of the chain smoking, rugged and gravel voiced...

Dec 2, 2011

Format: PS3 (version reviewed), 360, PC, Wii Unleashed: Out Now Publisher: Activision Developer: Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games Players: 1-18 Site: http://www.callofduty.com/mw3 Call of Duty is a peculiar series. Each year it shifts millions of copies and is greeted with near unanimous critical praise, yet it also attracts a special kind of hatred from a...

Nov 14, 2011

As discussed on the most recent episode of Critical Talk, I recently wrapped-up the main story in Batman Arkham City. The mini-sandbox was a double edged sword, as the distractions are fun and helped to add layers to the universe but at the cost of the relative linearity that kept Arkham Asylum so focused and engrossing. However, I loved the story and...

Nov 5, 2011

Before sitting down and getting stuck into Asura’s Wrath, I was given a friendly warning by a Capcom employee not to expect a typical demo. This wasn’t just PR hyperbole, as it turned out to be by far the most difficult demo I’ve come across in six years of attending TGS, and one that gave me a real sense of achievement once I’d finally finished it. As...

Oct 2, 2011

Format: PS3 (version reviewed), 360 Unleashed: Out Now Publisher: EA Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture Players: 1 Site: http://www.ea.com/shadows-of-the-damned Shadows of the Damned was a Suda 51 project from the outset. The CEO of Grasshopper Manufacture, and the man behind Killer 7 and No More Heroes, Suda was eventually joined by Shinji Mikami – the...