Fairly Fun

X Blades is more or less a hack n slash that tries to add item collecting and smashing as a way to drive away from repetitive game play. The story is simple to understand and the music really works.

The visuals as far as I'm concerned are pretty well balanced. There's a chick that's about 80% exposed set in a ruined environment that changes from a semi- tropical look to a more arid look. Light gleams off of her metal "armor" and weapons adding a nice touch on the sense of lighting with shadowing. Enemies are a little to be desired, but through all the killing it's not too much of a concern for the grunt work. Bosses are epic and clearly stand out.

I'd say the music is the selling point other than a serious look for gaming booty. It's got a metal/rock sound to it and for the most part makes the game feel more intense in combat. When the stage is completed it gives a lighter tone to ease your ears.

Controls are also great. As a good standard, left analog moves the character and the right moves the camera. Attacks are simple and magic is assigned to how you would like it. A rage meter is below your health and when it's filled you can use magic. If you lack the rage, you could hold the magic button and recharge while standing idly until it reaches enough to use. The menu button to buy new techs, and to buy health/rage items is a bit awkward because its the back button. Then again though, its a button that's not mistaken to use during the intense fighting.

Overall even though X Blades has a few problems in the story and stages, it's not something to pass up. The intense action and great soundtrack are enough to distract you from the true reason many male gamers bought it.

bigger badder, but not better

I'm a large fan of Guitar Hero. It had characters with insane moves and songs that never got old, but when I played the third installment i got a handful of mixed feelings. As for visual presentation it's much improved because it was made for the next gen consoles, however characters are now fixed to a small location. I also found the camera to be a little static. Switching to one fixed location to another, and hardly and movement, giving a bugdet music video vibe. The songs were great. I loved most of the songs there even. This makes the game really and if the line up isnt your cup o tea, then oh well. Its really the redeeming quality. I did like the master tracks, but I'd rather stick to covers because the instruments were also stressed a lot more. Playing the game is easy, hammer ons and pull offs are a snap. The problem is the insanely increased difficulty on hard and expert. Sure, we all could use a challenge, but the point is to mix challenge with fun, not 3 hours of frustration because you can't beat Raining Blood on expert because of the first solo. It seemed the notes were placed there and really fitting the song. Overall, it's fun but I'll stick with Guitar Hero II.

Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution

Guitar Hero II is everything the first is and more. It's louder, harder, and every bit as addictive as the first one. There's more unlockable content, more music to master including the ever popular Free Bird. The graphics have gone from budget bin to bulky wad o' cash. Characters are smooth and vibrantly designed with alternate costumes. Stages are more electric with outragous designs and detail. It's like the diamond in the rough. The sounds fantastic, unless it's a song to don't like, so it's purely opinionated from person to person. There' over 60 songs, which makes great hour killing time listening to each one. The controls are also with the player. It can be played right and left handed players thanks to the options menu, so no ones left out. Songs are played in the fourt standard difficulties so no matter what level you are, it can be done. The Practice mode allows newbies and veterens alike to hone their skills on theose pesky solos. Another note is that hammer ons and pull offs are MUCH easier to do so its more enjoyable to do the solos now.

A Game of Many Faces

Xenosaga Episode III: A.S.Z. is a game that leaves the player overwelmed with information. For those who didn't play the first two, there's a summary of the story; however, then there's terms that were used and the plyer wouldn't know what it meant until looking it up in the massive Xeno-bible (or enclyclopedia of the game.) The graphics hold up to the series and look great. It has the best of both episodes, and there are costumes to seek out in the game to make it more appealing. Cut-scenes are long, but the player can simply skip by it if in a rush, though it seems silly since the game is heavily story based. The sound quality is great. There's music to express a given emotion, and plenty of voice work. The character voice acting is great; however sometimes it feels a bit overdone. The controls are fine in regular gameplay. In character battles, the fighting is swift and fun. The E.S. (mech) battles have an interesting battles scheme, but is easy to learn. Overall, its a fantastic conclusion to the series, and it's a shame it ended so quickly. Those who enjoyed the previous games will definitely love it and those who just play this one will find themselves put into place quickly enough to enjoy it just the same. It's a must for those people who are into story driven RPG's.

For Those About to Rock

I know the highest ranking for rating games is 5, but this is a game that has an infinite fun factor. The game has songs anybody can enjoy, and the guitar controller is the coolsest thing since the creatrion of DDR. Guitar Hero has an awesome amount of in game graphics. Camera angles, lighting, character movements, and even the stage settings are all fantastic. It's like being in a interactive music video. Characters bust out awesome moeves as the player plays better, the stage also acts according the players performance, and the guitar feels jnot quite like one, but its better than airin' it. There's no overstatement in saying sound quality is perfect. The music's in the right tune, there's an annoying sound if you miss a note(so don't miss it), and the crowd cheers for the player. As for controls, its only as good as the player. There's a tutorial for new players, so getting the basics is easy to learn. In the options menu you can switch from right to left handed, to reach all audiences, and not just the majority. Overall, Guitar Hero is a bigger must than food. With four difficulties, loads of songs, and lots of extras to unlock, this game will keep your social life down for a long time.