Wii U. and New Super Mario Bros. U

Well, we're at my final review of the year (GOTY blog notwithstanding) and I've decided to let you all know about the first step into the new generation of gaming, the Wii U! Also New Super Mario Bros U. Because I'll probably only fill a paragraph on the console.

THE WII U
So right out of the box, some of the best things about the Wii U are it's backwards compatibility features. What I mean by that is, not only do your old wii games work, your wii remotes and the sensor bar are also compatible. Backing up all your Wii data is also pretty straight forward, once you find out how to, you know, START the process.

Now, Nintendo has graphically finally caught up to the competition. Games as simple as Scribble-Naughts unlimited and Super Mario Bros U all look surprisingly smooth. It's a big step up from the Wi's capabilities, but on top of this, the wii emulator on the console also looks smoother than it used to, for both Wii games and virtual console games.

The main event, so to speak, is the Gamepad; the tablet with buttons that's been the main selling point since it's reveal. Does it live up to the hype? For the most part, yes. It's not as responsive as an ipad, and it can only handle one point of contact at a time, but generally, the touch screen is accurate. It's implemented quite well in most games, with it being used to add platforms in NSMB U, as a keypad in scribblenaughts, as a live inventory in ZombiU, really, the possibilities are endless. At the moment, I'm most psyched about being able to seamlessly swap play between the tv and the gamepad, but so far only a few games support this.

Is the Wii U a big step up from it's predecessor? Hell yea it is. Do you need one if you already have a PS3 or 360? Well, no. But it does offer new and interesting play experiences, as well as some of the most fun party games I've played in a long time.

NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. U
STORY
Ok, at this point this is like pissing in the wind. There's a party at Peach's castle, everyone's invited. Then Bowser and the Koopalings show up and shit gets real. Mario, Luigi and two toads get booted a dozen or so worlds away, and they have to work their way back. Is it too much to ask for some narrative, Nintendo? I'm currently replaying paper mario, and while Bowser shows up to be a prick, at least he seems to have some motivations and goals.

PRESENTATION
As I mentioned above, New Super Mario Bros. U looks fantastic. The graphics are smooth and surprisingly crisp, and the visual style is colourful and full of personality.
Unfortunately though, I struggled to spot anything even remotely new to the series here. Sure, theres a flying squirrel suit, but there have been similar powerups (both visually and practically) before.

The music is still great, but it's just so similar to the other New Super Mario Bros. games! Very cheerful, full of life, A Capella styled tunes fill the game, and it always brings a smile to my face.

GAMEPLAY
While the story leaves much to be desired, the gameplay of NSMBU follows the Presentation's suit. It's all very familiar, but it's polished to a mirror shine. Jumping, bouncing, sliding, sprinting,wall jumping; it all feels smooth and fast and fun. Nothing feels better than nailing a sequence of jumps without missing a beat.

Co-Op is still fun, yet frustrating. Platforming in the New Super Mario Bros. multiplayer games feels more like it should be a competitive mode, because I've died more from my co-op partner bouncing on my head, or knocking me off a ledge, than I have due to the enemies or level design!

For the future, it'd be great to have this in as a competitive co-op mode. If it's co-op for fun, then the bouncy ass physics need to be an option, not the standard. It just ends in agony for one (or more) of the players.

The gamepad is utilized for a couple of features here. In Boost Mode, up to 4 players plus one on the gamepad, can play co-op Mario. The catch is, the gamepad player can make platforms, to either help or hinder their friends. Alternatively, playing singleplayer on the gamepad allows for you to use the Gamepad ONLY.

I wish I had more to talk about with this game, I do. But it's just so insubstantial. And what makes it worse is that it's so similar to all those who came before. All it is, is minor tweaks and some polish!

REPLAYABILTY
The amount of secret coins in this game is a decent incentive to play it over and over, but if collectible hunting isn't your thing, the coin rush and challenge modes are there for you. They basically provide small tweaks on the base gameplay, so nothing too special.

OVERVIEW
As I'm sure I said with the last New Super Mario Bros game, I do enjoy these titles. I do. But there's just so little to talk about, especially when each iteration doesn't even add anything to those that came before. At least Call of Duty can boast a new story, or something small like that. What does New Super Mario Bros U add? A platform creating fifth player?.... Woo.

Next time, GAME OF THE YEAR TIME!!!! See ya!

Hitman: Absolution

Those who frequent this blog or know me personally will know I'm a huge fan of stealth gameplay as well as choice in games. So when it comes to the Hitman franchise, you can bet I'm a huge fan. Hitman: Blood Money provided many a fond memory in my gaming history, one such involving a Santa costume and a glass spa bath suspended over a 50 foot drop. So what about Absolution? Does it maintain that memory-making quality of previous installments?

STORY
Absolution picks up with Agent 47 on assignment to take down his former handler, Diana, after she goes rogue and steals agency property. After completing the contract, a letter from his former handler informs 47 of the nature of the stolen property, a girl named Victoria, and the treachery of the man who ordered the contract, Benjamin Travis. After rescuing the girl and going rogue himself, 47 stumbles upon a plot by dubious business-man Blake Dexter, to kidnap Victoria and sell her back to the agency for millions.

Over the course of the narrative, Victoria's true value is revealed, and 47 will kill any who threaten the girl to whom he has committed his services.

Hitman games have always been on the line between serious and goofy, but Absolution seems to completely commit itself to the grindhouse style. Over-the-top, cartoonish villains, contrasted by the stone-faced viciousness of Agent 47. I can guarantee that you've never wanted any gaming character dead, moreso than some of Absolution's baddies.

PRESENTATION
Few games have ever looked as good as Hitman: Absolution does. It's slick graphics present the grimy, gritty world in which 47 inhabits perfectly, and characters receive the same treatment, from Agent 47's trademark scowl and suit, to the giant man-beast Sanchez. Hitman: Absolution is filled with so many cool and interesting characters, that you'll be eager to meet the next one. And murder them viciously.

The soundtrack is suitably atmospheric, but nothing too special to write home about. The use of Ave Maria near the end adds a nice touch, but otherwise, it's pretty average. The voice acting on the other hand is brilliant. 47's monotonous drone is perfect, while Travis sounds like the controlling bastard that he is. Really, the cast sell their parts perfectly.

GAMEPLAY
Now here's where Hitman: Absolution will be divisive. Old fans may be put off by it's simplistic gameplay changes, but newcomers to the series should feel right at home. Now, at it's core, Absolution is still a Hitman game. It's still about picking off your target it any way you choose.

Now onto the changes. Alot of Absolution's levels are very linear, and don't have you assassinating specific targets Some have you trying to get to your target, or escaping an area. I suppose if you took out the mid chapter checkpoints, they could all be seen as one huge level. As it stands though, each chapter is split into four or so levels.

Also added to the formula for this game are the cover system and the instinct system. Now, this might just be me, but I feel that all stealth games need a cover system. It makes it so much easier to know when you're hidden by cover and when you're not. The instinct system on the other hand, I could take or leave. It's reminiscent of Eagle vision or Detective Vision in Assassin's Creed and Arkham City respectively.

It's handy to know where NPC's are moving, or where they're located in the area, or what is special nearby, but overuse of it feels like cheapening the experience. Along with this is the point shooting ability, which is much like mark and execute from Splinter Cell. I can see a lot of players just forgoing this feature, apart from the moment's when using it is actually required.

All these changes aside, Hitman: Absolution still feels like a Hitman game. Scouting the area you're in, finding objects that can be used to form elaborate assassinations, and tailing your mark until the situation lines up perfectly, then BAM! Electrocuted while pissing! Or pushed into a storm water drain! Or crushed by building equipment! Or scorched by sabotaged Barbeque! Or Sniped into a grave so no-one finds the body! It's a nice level of freedom. Also, you can do it all dressed as a chicken.

REPLAYABILITY
The addition of challenges, as well as a more visible score tracker, the ability to choose a level from the list becomes more inviting because, hey, I'll just kill those guys a different way, or hey, I'll just shotgun everyone in the area. Because I can.

But if replaying story scenarios isn't your cup of tea, Contracts mode is there for you. In it, you can create or play custom contracts set with standard NPC's in the story maps. You might have to poison a man's sushi while wearing a chicken suit. Or shotgun a woman while dressed as a samurai. It adds a nice level of replayability.

OVERVIEW
Hitman: Absolution provides most everything I ask for in a game. Functioning stealth, decent gunplay controls, wide maps to make use of, inventive forms of assassination, and a wide variety of choice. Sure, things have changed since past games, but while many will say it's too simple, I say that accessibility is better than having a frustratingly hard game that no one can play. What matters is that the franchises imagination, freedom and brutality all return for Absolution.

Next time, I review New Super Mario Bros U!! And the Wii U!... Unless I finally finish Halo 4.

Far Cry 3

Ok, after many a setback, I'm... well.. back! I've had so many games to try and finish for reviewing that I'm finding it hard to just focus on one. But, one game stood head and shoulders above the rest. And it was Far Cry 3. Let me delve into why exactly this game tickled me in that very special way.

STORY
As the game starts, you're treated to jet-skiing, skydiving, a montage of insane shenanigans performed by yourself. As the camera pans out, it's revealed that your jailer is taunting you with the footage of your vacation up until this point. You are Jason Brody, and the paradise of Rook Island has just turned into hell.

After escaping the insane clutches of the pirate known as Vaas, Brody befriends the island natives and strives to become strong enough to save the rest of his friends. But as he gains strength and progresses along the path of vengeance, will he go too far? Will he ever leave the island as the man that first arrived there? These are the questions that Far Cry 3 asks players.

It's one of those great games of recent days that takes the copious violence of your standard video game fare, and puts a mirror up, forcing players to look at themselves. Now, it doesn't pull this off quite as well as Spec Ops: The Line, but it gives me hope for the future of games stories.

PRESENTATION
One thing you're bound to hear from gamers is that Far Cry 3 looks gorgeous. And that's because it does. The island is a bright, colourful paradise on the surface, littered with temples, shantytowns and strongholds, populated by NPC's who feel like they're actually living in this world. As well as the human denizens of Rook Island, there's a whole menagerie awaiting Brody's machete. Mountain Lions, Tigers, Bears, OH MY! And manta rays. So cool.

Character models are decent, but nothing too special. More fascinating is the amount of detail put into the first person animations, from tumbling after a fall, swimming, climbing, hang-gliding, it feels more like you are the character, and not just a camera attached to him.

The soundtrack is filled with dubstep-styled tracks, jungle drums and tribal chants, which really sells the feel of the island and its residents. The voice work is also really great, with Brody's cast of friends sounding like the spoilt douchebag 20-somethings of today, nailing the stupid tourist in a nightmare situation vibe. Characters like Vaas and Buck constantly remind you of how insane everything is. Also, theres a variety of kiwi accents on display for the NPC's, which is AWESOME!

GAMEPLAY
On the surface, Far Cry 3 is a first person shooter like so many other games. But look beneath that and you'll see it's sublime stealth mechanics, it's super cool skill tree and it's crafting system that borrows a little from Assassin's Creed 3 and Red Dead Redemption.

The basic gameplay is most definitely the shooting. Guns feel good to use, they have a nice weight and power to them. Especially the Desert Eagle. Goddamn is that thing powerful! The cover system works nicely, with just a button push seperating you from crouching behind a wall and aiming over it. The weapon variety is fantastic, from pistols and assault rifles, to flamethrowers and a recurve bow. It all plays into how you want to attack a situation.

The stealth mechanics are nicely implemented; it's easy to know when an enemy can see you, and there are systems in place to allow you to distract guards, as well as take them down silently. Takedowns in this game are awesome, as well as super violent. And the skill tree allows you to customize those to your every whim. Whant to stab a guy and silently take his friend down with a thrown knife? Go ahead. Want to steal your victims weapon after and shoot the rest of his patrol? Do it! Aerial assassinations and ledge takedowns all visit from Assassin's Creed too.

Now, as I mentioned, there's a skillt tree as well. The most noticable (and cool) part of it is that with each skill, Jason's arm Tatau gains a new symbol. With each skill learnt, Brody get's inked up like a badass!!!

The hunting system is fantastic, and having to use animal hides to upgrade wallets, loot sacks, holsters and ammo packs encourages the use of the hunting system.

Now Far Cry 3 is not perfect. But to be honest, aside from a few glitches, the biggest issue I found was with the enemy AI. Sometimes it can act as though it grew up drinking paint, other times it's einstien with a gun! But, it's only on rare occassions that the inconsistency of the AI is shown.

REPLAYABILITY
With strongholds to attack, Radio towers to scale, animals to hunt, bounties to cash in and minigames to play, Rook Island has a digital fuckton of things to do. And if you finish with that, theres a multiplayer mode. Though I'm not a huge fan, it feels like it was tacked on to tick a corporate box.

OVERVIEW
Here's the rundown: Far Cry 3 has excellent visuals, entertaining characters brought to life by immaculate voice acting, solid gunplay, satisfying stealth play and a living breathing world that you can get lost in for hours. It's not only high quality, it's also value for money, as I can see myself spending hours more exploring the island.

Next week, hopefully Hitman: Absoloution. If not that, then maybe a Wii U review? WHO KNOWS?! See you next time!

Playstation Allstars: Battle Royale

I know what you're probably thinking. Oh, I'm not going to play that, it's just a Sony rip off of Smash Bros, I'm not supporting plagiarism. Well I have some news for you. PS All Stars sets itself apart from its obvious inspiration. But, I'm getting ahead of yourself. Allow me to do my thing, and I'll let you know what I think of it.

STORY
Playstation All Stars doesn't seem to have an overall canonical story to call it's own. However, across the wide array of franchises and characters, each have their own reasons for competing in the battle royale. For instance, Dante goes in search of demons to hunt, whereas Jak and Daxter follow the trail of a new source of eco. As well as this, all the characters are paired with another in a sort of rivalry. It's adds an interesting spin to each Arcade mode playthrough.

Aside from that though, there's really no explanation of why the battle royale exists or why exactly the main nemesis has brought the combatants here. What is here are interesting spins on the cast's individual stories, and not much else.

PRESENTATION
To sum up PS All stars in a few words, I'd call it a Love letter to Playstation. The character roster is vast, and each character remains true to his or her own franchise, even with their various outfits. Drake has ouutfits from all three main series games, and all his moves pull straight from them too. For instance, most of his moves involve guns; one even brings up a piece of cover, adding a little bit of Uncharted's signature play style.

The music also draws from all this amazing source material, from the orchestral scores of God of War, to the heavy metal of Twisted Metal. It really does well in utilizing the great properties that have come together for this project. In fact, each characters voice is spot on, from Cole McGraths gravely voice, to Kratos' godly roar.

Last but not least, the environments have a cool feature where they take two properties and mash them together. You get sweet mash ups of things like Uncharted and Bioshock, God of War and Patapon, and Resistance and Ratchet and Clank.

The biggest downfall of its presentation is in the Arcade story mode. Each character begins and ends with a bunch of stills with a voiceover, while midway through they have an in engine cutscene with their specific rivalry. I feel like more could have been done with this, if only to flesh out a proper storyline here.

GAMEPLAY
Now we get down to the meat of it. Is Playstation Allstars Battle Royale fun? Hell yeah it is! Is it a shameless rip off of Smash Bros.? Well, it's obvious that Nintendo's mascot brawler was inspiration for it, but PS Allstars differentiates itself enough to carve out a name for it in the fighting game scene.

In Battle Royale, your main goal is to build up your AP meter so you can perform supermoves to score KO's. Performing moves successfully builds AP, pulling of bigger combos builds higher levels of AP, and falling off the stage or getting hit by stage hazards can cause you to lose AP..

Each character is a joy to play, with their own pros and cons. Characters like Kratos, Raiden and Nariko are heavily melee focused, while Drake and Radec play it better from afar. The roster is nicely varied and their moves are all nicely pulled from their respective franchises.

Probably the best feature of the gameplay is the risk/reward aspect of the Super meter. Do you use your level one and aim it to score the maximum amount of KO's? Or do you build up the level 3 super and activate it for a guaranteed multi-KO move? It all depends on how well you know the character's super moves, and just how quickly you can build up the Super Meter. It's a fantastic dynamic that keeps fights tense and interesting.

Now I would have preferred a larger roster, but as DLC characters have been announced (and will be free for the first week or so) it's not such a deal breaker. Otherwise, I find the gameplay to be immensely enjoyable, and a whole different beast to Smash Bros.

REPLAYABILITY
PS Allstars may not be as similar as one may think to Smash Bros, but it certainly has the fantastic party mentality that Smash has. Even without that, it's a fun game to practice and becoming amazing at character after character is truly rewarding.

OVERVIEW
Playstation Allstars is a brilliant game. I've been wondering for years why Sony didn't bring out a Smash Bros clone, and then when they finally do, it's actually quite different to the mascot brawler we all love. That said, it's simple to learn, difficult to master combat system, tense risk/reward Super Meter feature and it's amazing cast of characters and list of levels make it a joy to play. Playstation veterans should get in on this, as should fighting game fans. Smash Bros fans may find something they aren't expecting, and they may just like it.

Next week, it's looking like Hitman Absolution. Or maybe Far Cry 3. Or New Super Mario Bros. U. My Wii U is my new best friend. It hands down has the best Youtube capability out of any item in my home. And I'm not talking about it's Youtube app. I mean the browser version.
Anywho, see you next time!