User Reviews

All Reviews by aiminglow

Luigi's Mansion - GameCube

Luigi gets his spotlight

Looks: OK, when I first got my GC and put this game in, I was really impressed. Everything looks just as it should, and more. Little details, like dust being expelled when when running your vacuum, never cease to impress. Luigi's model looks too amazing, with great facial expressions. The ghosts look great, and make you just want to stare. Sounds: I was very impressed at every sound in this game. The music will be stuck in your head all day, and Luigi's reactions will have you laughing. Entertainment can be had just hearing Luigi's calls for Mario, which change according to how much health you have. If your health is full, he'll sound confident. If it's extremely low, however, he'll sound as if he's about to wet his pants. Ghost sounds are great cues to when you need to keep your guard up. Controls: Couldn't be better. They're fluid, well thought out, and just plain amazing. They never faulter, even when you have to shine your flashlight on a ghost to make it freeze in its place, then quickly use your vacuum to capture it. Gameplay: It's different, in a very, very good way. Having to vacuum up a ghost is definitly a step away from the usual hop 'n bop gameplay that's been a staple of every mario inpsired game I can think of. Fun: It's kind of a short game, but that doesn't stop one from wanting to go back and play again, and again. I couldn't put this game down for hours. Mario, I have a feeling your brother is giving you a run for your money...

Doom 3 - Xbox

id shows the world that old school still rocks

Looks: Doom 3 is scary, but the visuals sure aren't... Well they are, but not the visual quality. Normal mapping technology strikes again, showing just how beautiful an Imp can look in the right lighting. That lighting: Dark. Everything in this game looks amazing, showing what the Xbox can do, when put in the right hands. Not only are the graphics in this game amazing, but they're functional. Nothings creepier than walking into a room that actually has some (nice looking) light (effects) in it, then seeing the shadow of a demon crawling on a window. Sounds: Right on par with the graphics. These sounds leave you ready to wet your pants. It's not uncommon to be walking down a corridor, being followed everywhere by the sound of a creature breathing. You never know when it'll pop out, but that sound stays with you, and within reason. If you exit that certain hall, it's gone. So the sound, like the graphics, have purpose, other than to complete a package. Controls: Just right. The addition of the flash light really adds a sense of insecurity, to make the game even scarier. Several times I walked into a room wishing the light were taped to my gun, but then thanking the programmers for not including that feature, to intensify the mood. Gameplay: Scary. Before picking this game up, I thought I was hardened from years of shooters, and Resident Evils. I was very surprised, though, as I was freaked out beginning to end. It feels like the original Dooms, just newer. Which means nothing more than id knows what they're doing. Fun: There's nothing not fun about this game. Go play it now. Several people have made comments saying Doom 3 isn't innovative enough. To me, that shows that people are losing sight of what games are about. They're not about having THE hardest puzzles, or a billion controls to memorize. They're about fun. Forget about how many features you'd like to see in the next game that comes along, and just hope that it's FUN.

Brute Force - Xbox

Repetitious, but you won't notice.

Looks: Pretty well done. When I first fired this game up, I was impressed, even though it first played it this year, 2005. Character models move around pretty well, with realistic enough animations to keep you interested through the game. Their models are also well done. Environments look great, with some really nice touches, like great water effects, and that glowing, whatever it was stuff (what was that toxic substance called again?) on far away planets. Overall, a well done package, graphically. Sounds: Sigh, I want to say the sounds completely go along with the graphics. OK, the lines in the script are a little cheesey, but entertaining. Weapon sounds are pretty cool, with variety enough to let you know exactly what everyone's shooting with. Audio cues from your team members are especially helpful, as they do communicate with you when needed. Controls: They get the job done, plain and simple. Point, shoot, control your team mates/change between them, you're done. Gameplay: It's repetitious. Every mission is pretty much the same thing when it all boils down. BUT... It's kept fun through lots of action, due to the clever positioning of the enemies. Fun: If you're picky about havin billions of different things to do in a game, steer clear, or rent. If you're ready for some all out shooting fun, go for it. Overall, though, don't expect anything monumental.

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay - Xbox

Too good for its own... good

Looks: WOW. Normal mapping is THE way to go with graphics. I can't say how amazing this game looks. Cinemas? Who needs 'em, when they just integrate important dialogue into gameplay. The first scene, walking into the jail, took my breath away. Getting a chance to jsut gawk at my new dirty, but beautiful surroundings was a great idea. Animation is evenly as amazing. Sounds: First off, the script is great. Lines are right on cue, and make sense for each character. Punches sound real, too. Everything sounds just as you would expect them to, as if you were actually there. Enough said. Controls: FUN!!! I've never had that much fun in a virtual fist fight. Weapons are equally as fun to use. Nothing's more satisfying than walking up to someone who has a knife, reversing when they try to cut you, and stabbing them under the chin. Gunplay is also amazing, even though it doesn't come up a whole ton. No complaints, though. Gameplay: The length of the game felt right. Not agonizingly long, not disappointingly short. Some parts of the game may have you scratching your head for a second, but that's all; just one second. Between the mix of the game's looks and gameplay, you'll feel like you're in Butcher Bay. Fun: Movie games don't get much better than this. Action games don't get much better than this. Shooters don't get much better than this. Games PERIOD don't get much better than this. BUY NOW.