Retro News (Page 6)

  • Review Defiance (PlayStation 3)

    Hell Bugs aren't the only bugs to worry about

    Defiance is an ambitious cross-media experiment that aims to, ahem, defy expectations, and it gets awfully close to doing just that. A rich, expansive universe packed to the brim with lore creates a world that you'll want to explore and learn more about. However, questionable design choices, oodles of...

  • Review Thomas Was Alone (PlayStation 3)

    It's hip to be square

    Although 'simple and charming' is a worn-out phrase used to describe the numerous puzzle platformers on the PlayStation Network, there's no question that those three words suit Thomas Was Alone perfectly. Guiding geometric shapes through a gauntlet of hazards and obstacles is the order of the day, but while the cross-buy...

  • Review Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut (PlayStation 3)

    Sinner's software

    Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut feels like a relic of the PlayStation 2 era, as if it was long forgotten and recently recovered from an old box within a developer's dusty archives. It's decidedly lo-fi, with a framerate that frequently sputters for dear life, regular pop-in, droning, repetitive sound effects, enemies that...

  • Review The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct (PlayStation 3)

    No signs of life

    Clearly intended to cash in on the overwhelming success of the TV show and the recent critical acclaim of Telltale Games’ excellent episodic adventure, The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct doesn’t so much as explode out of the gate, but, perhaps appropriately, shamble. The ‘plot’ revolves around the TV show’s troublesome...

  • Review Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov's Revenge (PlayStation 3)

    Dead in the middle

    Real-time strategy games have always been difficult to execute on consoles. Without a mouse, scrolling over huge maps with an analogue stick is far harder than you may imagine, while assigning commands to various buttons on a controller leads to some haphazard control schemes. Enter Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov’s Revenge, a...

  • Review Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen (PlayStation 3)

    Top dogma

    Dragon’s Dogma originally released last year, and although many praised Capcom for trying something new and exciting, the general consensus was that the game fell just short of greatness. Despite boasting a huge open world, an intriguing class system, and fantastic boss fights, the title faltered on the smaller things like awful menu...

  • Review Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon (PlayStation 3)

    Boom for your buck

    Most first-person shooters settle for a few additional maps, a handful of new weapons, and a couple of bonus missions in their post-release period. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, however, blows that tradition out of the water, delivering a compelling standalone experience that's both out of the ordinary in delivery and subject matter...

  • Review Injustice: Gods Among Us (PlayStation 3)

    Immortal Kombat

    When it comes to the fighting game genre, you're often forced to select your preferred type. Are you a player of 2D or 3D titles? Tekken or Dead or Alive? Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat? Each series has its own unique identity, restricting its audience to a specific brand. As such, you'd expect Injustice: Gods Among Us, the latest...

  • Review Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory (PlayStation 3)

    "Is that your 'please punish me' face?"

    Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory is a hard-sell. It’s what reviewers like to call ‘a niche title’, meaning a game that the majority of PlayStation 3 owners will pick up and then swiftly put back down. Set in a land governed by gaming tech, it's the third instalment in the Neptunia JRPG series, a franchise...

  • Review Dead Island: Riptide (PlayStation 3)

    Better off dead

    Dead Island: Riptide brings you back to the unfortunate backdrop of the Banoi archipelago where 2011’s flawed Dead Island left off. The infection has spread to a neighbouring island, forcing the four survivors of the previous game and one newcomer (John, a rude ex-soldier) to try and make it through another tropical apocalypse. As...

  • Review Dragon Fantasy: Book I (PlayStation 3)

    Dragged out fantasy

    Harkening back to the days of rather basic 2D Japanese RPGs like the original Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior, Dragon Fantasy: Book I at first appears to be little more than a tribute to the games that created a genre. However, on closer inspection, the title manages to craft its own thoughtful identity through a clever use of...

  • Review Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 (PlayStation 3)

    On par

    The threat of stagnation with annual sports titles is something that EA faces with a large chunk of its catalogue. This year's iteration of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 is no exception, delivering another enjoyable digital facsimile of golf, with just enough tweaks and additions to tempt truly committed fans into upgrading. For everyone else,...

  • Review Guacamelee! (PlayStation 3)

    Viva la lucha

    Besides being a brilliant pun, Guacamelee! is a potent mix of platforming and brawling, wrapped-up in a cartoon-styled Mexico. The delightful Metroidvania-inspired adventure takes plenty of props from the greats that solidified the genre, but gracefully manages to maintain its own charm and personality, resulting in a digital download...

  • Review BioShock Infinite (PlayStation 3)

    Queen Elizabeth

    Columbia doesn’t feel all that familiar at first. Zachary Hale Comstock’s secluded slice of Americana promptly presents itself as a sunbaked tapestry of carnival attractions and hallowed gardens; a blue skied paradise basking in the ideals of a prophet bold enough to secede from the sodom of the corruption lurking below, and set...

  • Review Darkstalkers Resurrection (PlayStation 3)

    Once bitten, twice fly

    While Capcom’s Darkstalkers franchise has never enjoyed the same level of fanatic enthusiasm as its bigger brother Street Fighter, the monster mash of fighting games has still maintained a devoted following despite not receiving a true new entry since 1997. Ardent fans have been howling for the return of Felicia and company...

  • Review Jeremy McGrath's Offroad (PlayStation 3)

    Rally no good

    Jeremy McGrath garnered much fame during the 90s, even earning the title ‘King of Supercross’. So, any fan of the man would hope that Jeremy McGrath's Offroad lives up to the name on the box. Sadly, this is a dull and repetitive paint-by-numbers racing game. The title does the minimum required for a game of this generation and...

  • Review Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time (PlayStation 3)

    Crime traveller

    It’s fairly obvious that newcomer Sanzaru Games has poured its heart and soul into Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time. The long-awaited fourth instalment in PlayStation’s premier theft simulator is bursting with reverence for the franchise that Sucker Punch introduced over ten years ago, and that’s evident in every inch of the...

  • Review Germinator (PlayStation 3)

    Best left in the incubator

    We’ve seen our fair share of bubble-puzzle games over the last few years, each attempting to put a new spin on the genre, be it through engaging art styles or subtle but original gameplay tweaks. Germinator attempts the latter, requiring you to match up coloured germs in order to make them expand and explode, hopefully...

  • Review BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 - Future Legend of Rhythm Alien (PlayStation 3)

    Jump up to get down

    BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 - Future Legend of Rhythm Alien raises eyebrows by virtue of being different. At first glance, it looks like the kind platforming game that we've all played dozens of times before. But as you explore the mechanics, it soon becomes evident that it's actually a music game cleverly disguised as a...

  • Review WRC Powerslide (PlayStation 3)

    Stuck in the mud

    Simulation racers are not for everyone. Settle down for a casual round of Gran Turismo 5 with the folks from the cricket club and you’ll spend more time staring at barriers than the actual road ahead. It’s with that in mind that Italian developer Milestone has concocted WRC Powerslide, an isometric riff on its hardcore licensed...

  • Review Tomb Raider (PlayStation 3)

    Uncharted territory

    Lara Croft, one of the most iconic protagonists in gaming, has finally returned with a contemporary tale designed to reboot the Tomb Raider series. And it's a magnificent comeback. Crystal Dynamics' new take on the heroine mixes combat and exploration in a compelling fashion, resulting in one of the best action adventure titles...

  • Review God of War: Ascension (PlayStation 3)

    Banishing demons

    God of War: Ascension is the strange type of title that could only exist at the end of a console’s lifespan. The prequel to Sony Santa Monica’s savage Spartan series thrives on years of iteration, delivering the slickest entry in the series yet. But it’s also bankable, and as a non-numbered instalment in a long-running...

  • Review Urban Trial Freestyle (PlayStation 3)

    Trials Devolution

    The runaway success of the Trials series on the Xbox 360 has exposed the need for a motorcycle platforming game on the PlayStation 3, and, finally, a mere four years since the release of Trials HD, a clone of the series is available on the PS3 and Vita. Sadly though, it fails to bring the magic of the Microsoft games to Sony's...

  • Review Aliens: Colonial Marines (PlayStation 3)

    Game over, man

    If you’re even remotely plugged into the online gaming ‘ether’, then you’ll be fully aware of the controversy surrounding Aliens: Colonial Marines. Infamously stuck in development hell for several years, the shooter was supposedly passed from pillar to post behind the scenes, and it really shows. One of the first things that...

  • Review Dynasty Warriors 7: Empires (PlayStation 3)

    Far more than pushing square

    In many ways, Dynasty Warriors' long running Empires spin-off series is more refined than the set of original games that form their basis. Typically, they add in new characters, weapons, and stages, overhaul a few mechanics, and overlay everything with relatively simple strategy elements. Indeed, Empires games are known...

  • Review Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (PlayStation 3)

    Not quite lightning in a bottle

    The amalgamation of Platinum Games action and Hideo Kojima absurdity is realised with Metal Gear Rising: Revengence. The title's high octane, adrenaline-fuelled combat is complemented by a melodramatic narrative involving a band of unique and powerful warriors, fighting for ideals, honour, and the love of war...

  • Review Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 (PlayStation 3)

    Fist of the bore star

    Sequels are generally a straight forward affair – or at least they have been this generation. Ideally, a sequel should remove or fix problems that plagued the first game, while adding new, polished content and improving core gameplay. With Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage 2, developer Koei’s job should have been a...

  • Review Zombie Driver HD (PlayStation 3)

    Rot gear

    Guts, guns, and gasoline: it’s a match consummated in the underworld. At least it should be, but EXOR Studios’ matter-of-fact PlayStation Network racer Zombie Driver HD gets its wheels in a spin in some crucial areas. It results in a braindead isometric zombie slayer which sadly lacks the bite of its subject matter. You fill the...

  • Review Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (PlayStation 3)

    Crikey! This game is flippin' tidy, mun!

    Nowadays, large-scale RPGs seem to be everywhere, and with such a rich choice of games available, it’s hard to discern the classics from the rabble. It can also be easy to exaggerate the quality of the very best in the genre, due to long development processes and the length of the adventures on offer. But...

  • Review Corpse Party: Book of Shadows (PlayStation Portable)

    Shock till you drop

    With a title like Corpse Party: Book of Shadows, it’s immediately clear that you’re going to be in for a bumpy ride. The sequel continues the sadistic, horribly twisted atmosphere of the first game perfectly well – but it doesn’t bring much new to the table. It’s admittedly more of an expansion to the first game than a...

  • Review The Cave (PlayStation 3)

    Cavern club

    The first adventure game ever to be released was a text title created by computer programmer and caver enthusiast, William Crowther. It's fitting, then, that Double Fine’s latest bid to revive the forgotten genre is also set in a cave. But this is not Crowther’s 1976 exploration game – it's a modern experience, complete with Ron...

  • Review DmC: Devil May Cry (PlayStation 3)

    Devil may care

    You've got to feel for DmC: Devil May Cry developer Ninja Theory. Tasked with the challenge of rebooting Capcom's classic combat series, the Cambridge-based developer has come under fire from franchise fans for its urban redressing of protagonist Dante. Armed with a top of the range faux hawk and a figure hugging sleeveless shirt, the...

  • Feature Castlevania's Gory PlayStation Bloodline

    We take a look back at the Sony history of Konami's famous franchise

    Konami’s Castlevania series may have established its reputation on Nintendo consoles, but in recent years it has branched out to find commercial and critical success on other systems, most notably the PlayStation line of consoles. With Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 looming...

  • Review Fuel Overdose (PlayStation 3)

    Burnt rubber

    What's not to love about the indie game scene and its current revival? From the phenomenal success of Angry Birds to truly brilliant tales like Journey and The Walking Dead, it's nice to see that inspiration and clever ideas can sometimes trump vast amounts of money and celebrity voice actors. As such, we were really looking forward to...

  • Review Page Chronica (PlayStation 3)

    Fairy stale

    Page Chronica is the kind of game that you’ll find yourself rooting for. Like a book with a bad cover, you’ll wade through the title’s grungy exterior in the hope of uncovering something magical inside. But sadly, for all of the release’s impressive ideas, it fails to deliver on its compelling literary hook – and it results in...

  • Review Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD Collection (PlayStation 3)

    High tension definition

    The Budokai series first launched on the last generation of consoles. It spawned three games, each sporting their own take on the epic Dragon Ball Z story. Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD Collection repurposes the first and third titles from the franchise – but are they enough to capture your attention in the HD era? Let’s get...

  • Review Big Sky Infinity (PlayStation 3)

    Space invader

    Side scrolling, twitch-based space shooters are a staple of gaming, and have been for years. As such, finding something unique can be a struggle. But despite this, developer Boss Baddie has been quietly expanding on the genre with its Big Sky titles on PC. And now the latest iteration Big Sky Infinity has hit the PlayStation 3 and Vita...

  • Review DOOM Classic Complete (PlayStation 3)

    Rock solid

    Boasting the full versions of Ultimate DOOM, DOOM 2: Hell on Earth, and Final DOOM, there's no doubt that DOOM Classic Complete is a comprehensive package for those looking for a nostalgia trip. But is the famous franchise still the daddy of first-person shooters? For better or for worse, the graphics of DOOM Classic Complete are the...

  • Review Black Knight Sword (PlayStation 3)

    Nightmare before Christmas

    Black Knight Sword is a hard game to describe. Its gameplay is nothing new – it’s essentially a side scrolling action game mixed with a lot of platforming. But in motion, the title paints a completely different picture – this is the stuff of nightmares. Saying Black Knight Sword is creepy is an understatement. Its...

  • Review Skylanders Giants (PlayStation 3)

    Bigger and better?

    Considering the success of the original Skylanders, it's no surprise that a sequel has already hit store shelves. Activision's accessory-laden adventure game commanded eye-watering sales figures during its last term at retail. But can a series that’s so heavily dependent on peripheral purchases thrive in its second outing?...

  • Review Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two (PlayStation 3)

    The paint runs thin

    The first thing you’ll notice about Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is how sterile everything looks. Gone are the murky, almost depressing locales from the Nintendo Wii original, replaced by wholesome environments, which – at most – feature a little bit of damage here and there. In terms of grunge, this is more Bon Jovi...

  • Review The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series (PlayStation 3)

    Everyday we're shufflin'

    Lee Everett’s failed the one golden rule of murdering folk: don’t get caught. As such, he's on his way to prison when civilisation collapses around him. It’s through Lee that you experience the harsh horrors of this new and unrecognisable world, and it’s not long before he, and by extension you, becomes responsible...

  • Review Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (PlayStation 3)

    Smiles prower

    Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed starts to make sense the moment that you reach the excellent Afterburner stage. Sumo Digital’s slick sequel initially introduces itself as yet another Mario Kart derivative – but it eventually blossoms into so much more. By fusing the best of Hydro Thunder, SkyDrift, and over two decades’...

  • Review Mass Effect (PlayStation 3)

    Back to the future

    Launching five years after its original Xbox 360 debut, Mass Effect has finally landed on the PlayStation 3, completing the series' sci-fi trilogy on Sony's console. However, the title's late arrival places it in an awkward position, destined to be judged against the sequels it spawned. Has the classic aged gracefully? Not...

  • Review Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse (PlayStation 3)

    In what reality is this considered fun?

    Games based on TV licenses don't have a great track record, but there's always the potential for something enjoyable to come out of them. Now it's Family Guy's turn, with the franchise's first PlayStation 3 title, Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse. Don't hold your breath for anything amazing, though. The...

  • Review Worms: Revolution (PlayStation 3)

    Wriggle room

    There's always been a charm to destroying unfortunate invertebrates with outrageous weapons. As such, when Worms: Revolution debuted as a downloadable title on the PlayStation Network, we jumped at the chance to take up arms. It turns out that the tongue-in-cheek strategy game remains a great way to waste time, but not necessarily for...

  • Review Planets Under Attack (PlayStation 3)

    Space invading

    Planets Under Attack is a space-warfare strategy game that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Backed by cartoon visuals and comedic characters, the game attempts to mix accessibility with addictive, tactical gameplay. To an extent, Planets Under Attack succeeds in what it sets out to do. Its gameplay mechanics are easy to...

  • Review Pid (PlayStation 3)

    What a Piddy

    The indie game market is saturated with 2D platformers. Ever since the runaway success of Braid, indie developers have been tripping over themselves to try and create the next big thing. Pid is the latest attempt – but does the puzzle platformer, from Swedish developer Might and Delight, add anything new to the medley? Thankfully,...

  • Review Far Cry 3 (PlayStation 3)

    Insane in the membrane

    Far Cry 3 will find you questioning your sanity, your loyalty, and your will to survive. This tropical adventure gone violent provides the perfect distraction for you to whittle away your winter nights with – and days, too. It offers an exhilarating journey that you'll struggle to put down, and will linger long in the memory...

  • Review Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault (PlayStation 3)

    Zurgo rush

    Insomniac Games has never shied away from experimenting with its premium platforming franchise, but Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault represents the series’ biggest departure yet. Designed to celebrate the brand’s tenth anniversary, the downloadable mini-adventure blends the property’s traditional twitch-based gunplay with...