Avatar Review

Avatar is a solid gaming experience.There is absolutely nothing in this game that keeps it from being a lot of fun.The graphics are spectacular and the story is quite compelling.The Na'vi and RDA campaigns play like completely separate experiences which surprised me.They take place in different sectors of Pandora and each one is distinct.Playing as an Avatar, you tower over the humans and the plant life.As a human you are dwarfed by the plant life, Na'vi, and animals.The RDA campaigns really give you a sense of how hostile the environment is.

I have played through all of the Na'vi campaigns and over half of the RDA campaigns and I feel that the RDA campaigns are definitely harder.One of the nice things about Avatar, though, is that it is not a hard game by any means.You don't die much and you shouldn't have to play any of the segments multiple times to succeed.This may irritate hard core gamers but as a less skilled player, I consider it a plus.

Avatar is a good game but with a little more polish and a few adjustments it could have been steller.While the graphics are solid, there are still a few occasional glitches.In the later campaigns there is a little "drop-in" from time to time and throughout the game AI controlled Na'vi and RDA soldiers will appear from a long distance as featureless moving dolls.Then when you get closer the details will snap on.This is hard to explain but when developers make a game the character models are like fleshed out stick figures with a "skin" added later.It was weird and mildly irritating during the game to see characters moving around in the distance as little white figures and then once you got just a bit closer, "pop," now the details.The only other glitch and one common in many games is that some AI controlled characters would get stuck running in place against some of the scenery and once I saw an arrow get stuck in midair.Also the dragon like creatures the Na'vi fly called Banshees are sometimes seen perching in midair.No big deal but silly nonetheless.

Speaking of AI.Sometimes the enemy AI (wheter Na'vi or RDA depending on which side you play) is dumb as a stick and other times so clever you have a hard time staying alive.I would have preferred the AI to be better thought out.The developers should have either started the AI out as pretty stupid and then gradually smarter as you progressed through the game or make it class specific.For example, some the Na'vi tribes would be smarter or tougher than others with variations within tribes depending on ranks and on the RDA the AI could be assigned based on rank (grunts, commandos, elites, etc.)Either approach would be better than what was actually done.

The controls, weapons, skills, and vehicles are pretty well thought out but a few changes would have made them more fun.Both sides can equip 4 weapons and 4 skills at a time.However, each side has one default that you cannot swap.The RDA has twin pistols with infinite ammo that are almost useless and the Na'vi has a bow.Now the bow is a great weapon that you will probably use regularly throughout the Na'vi campaigns so it isn't really a problem but the pistols are a wasted slot.When you play as the RDA you need all the firepower you can muster.The skills are good but unlike the advertising there isn't 60 weapons and 20 skills.You have a handful of weapons and skills with 4 automatic upgrades for each one as you gain in experience points.The Na'vi have 6 weapons and if you count each upgrade you technically get 24 but they are not really that different just more powerful.The Na'vi have 9 skills and the upgrades bring you up to 36.The RDA have 8 weapons and 7 skills.Each side has a sprinting skill but a dedicated standard sprint would have been nice.The left joystick button isn't used so they could have made that the sprint which would have been nice.The RDA vehicle controls work just fine although the AMP suit is not much help if you get swarmed by Na'vi because they are so much faster.The suit gets destroyed in seconds and if you don't get clear of the blast you're toast.Also, I don't understand why when you run over the Na'vi they aren't killed.Usually there is minor damage if anything.The animal controls are okay but it would have been nice if they could have figured out a way for you to use weapons while riding.Also, it is hard to land the Banshees even when it looks like a spot has room.You keep pressing "Y" but the stupid thing won't land.This is major irritation.

Two final things that I can think of at moment that could have used some improving is the campaign structure towards the end of the game and enemy spawning.The last Na'vi campaign seemed rushed.In the rest of the campaigns the quests were spread out across the maps in such a way that you would have explored most of the map by the time you finished the sector.To complete everything I had to go back after I beat the game and explore the rest of the map.The developers clearly got in a hurry and I am curious to see if the final RDA campaign is structured the same way.A big improvement would have been to completely separate the campaigns.This would have aided the replay factor big time.What I mean here is that you have to play the opening sequence twice if you want to play both the Na'vi and RDA campaigns.You start out as an RDA soldier and after you are transferred to your Avatar body you come to a point where you have to choose sides.Take one route and you stick with the RDA and lose your Avatar, take the other and you turn on the RDA and remain in your Avatar body.It works as a story but it is boring to have to do the same stuff twice in order to get the point where you can take the route you didn't take the first time round.

Now regarding enemy spawning.Sometimes you clear an area and then you have to travel a ways before the enemy respawns.Other times they respawn so quick you have to sprint away to get clear.Also, sometimes the enemy follows you until you kill them and other times enough distance gets you clear.I would have much preferred a less haphazard approach.No respawning until you replay a sector would have made much more sense.

The multiplayer is okay.I am not a big multiplayer fan and I cannot see where this game breaks any new ground in this mode.I haven't tried the conquest mini game yet but I suspect it some kind of RTS game.

In conclusion, all quibbles aside, you can't go wrong with this game.It is interesting and fun at the same time.Buy it sooner or later.

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Product Description:
In a distant corner of the universe, a devastating conflict is about to erupt between two very different worlds. On the planet of Pandora reside an indigenous people known as the Na'vi. When the Na'vi find themselves engaged in a struggle with the RDA Corporation, a space-faring consortium in search of valuable resources, it sets the stage for a conflict unlike any the universe has seen before. Step into a dazzling world from the imagination of James Cameron and take your stand in the battle to determine the fate of a civilization.


Drive the vehicles from the movie
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Online multiplayer
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Design your own character
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Choose from 20 skills for each clan
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Synopsis
James Cameron's Avatar: The Game allows you to step inside the world of the feature film and go deep into the heart of Pandora and its people. Choose to fight for either RDA or the Na'vi, arming yourself with any of dozens of customizable weapons and a variety of clan-specific skills. Acquire new skills as you advance through the game, giving your all in the epic battle for a planet and a people.


Key Game Features:

Become immersed in the world of the Avatar feature film, viewing James Cameron's universe from your own perspective
Take your stand in a raging conflict, fighting either for the indigenous Na'vi or the resource-hunting RDA Corporation
Arm yourself with any of more than 60 total RDA and Na'vi weapons, customizing them for your own use
Prepare yourself for battle by choosing any of 20 skills for each clan
Design your own character and acquire new skills as you make your way through the game
Participate fully in the conflict, even driving all the vehicles and riding the animals
Broaden the field of battle in online multiplayer gameplay

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Assassins Creed II Review

Assassins Creed 2 - Circa 2009

GOOD:
- A good story mixes elements of historical fiction and a Sci-Fi epic.
- Really impressive graphics and first-rate animations, that looks just as good as games like Uncharted 2 on PS3 and Gears of War 2 on 360.
- The game world is even bigger then the last one (it really rivals games like Fallout 3) also IF taking a horse across the land still takes too long some times don't worry there are warp points now as well.
- In the first Assassin's Creed there was about 5 different mission types (chase someone, pickpocket someone, save someone from getting beat up, spy on targets, and then stealth kill, ect) in Assassin's Creed 2 there is like 15 different mission types now from all out battles, trailing a targets, beating up unfaithful husbands and lots of different types of stealth killing also all the old types in Assassins Creed 1 are here as well.
- You have a better opportunity to be a more cunning assassin now due to newer weapons, techniques, and skills.
- You can now swim, no more letting water be your foe heck you can even drive gondolas if you wanted.
- like the first title this one has great sound track too that mixes music of the era during the clam points of the game and more modern type of music during the chase points of the game.BAD:
- Some small problems from the first are still there - although they are a lot more minor now like some times roof top running (parkour) can be a tad sloppy in a tense situations and you'll get killed (small camera problems). (I didn't really see this in my play through but some people have told me it happens so I am letting you know here)
- Losing that cool sword: you have the ability to disarm enemies and kill them with their own weapons now (this never gets old) - BUT - you also drop you own original sword in the process making you having to dig among the bodies to find it again and hope it's not lost. ::UPDATE:: I put this wrong it seems, you never lose your weapons when doing a disarm attack (it yes it never gets old); you only seem to lose your weapon when a stronger enemy (usually a knight in a suit of armor) knocks it outta your hand, and this is still a bit rare. Then you would have to find your weapon though or pick up a new one later.
- Too much Money? When you first start the game money is a bit hard to come by and weapons/armor are pretty expensive, while this can be a bit frustrating at first it builds gameplay and gives you goals outside of the missions to work towards. Now after you play for few hours and missions give you better pay and you fully upgrade your villa/town (this will automatically give you tons of free money; sorta like owning property in Fable 2 or GTA: Vice City) money becomes a non issue. Then getting paid at the end of missions seems pointless as well as doing Templar Secret location missions, which while fun, the entire point is to find a treasure room for yet more now pointless money. Anyways a few hours into the game and the in-game economy is broken to the point were you feel they should have done like Assassins Creed 1 and never had in-game money and just give you all your weapons/items based on mission progress.IF IT FITS YOUR TASTE:
- A Stealth/action game set during the late 15th century and early 16th Italian Renaissance. You play as a man who becomes an Assassin in order to carry out revenge of his family.
- You spend more time in the Animus and less time as Desmond over all.
- The control is broken down mainly into two areas of gameplay there is a passive action and an aggressive action to almost everything you can do in the game. For example you can lightly tap people to move out of your way while walking down crowed the street (hold the B button to do this) or shove people as you run down that same street (hold the R button and the B button to do this). This duality applies to all your actions and it becomes necessary because during the game you must be able to move freely between these two states (passive and aggressive) to run and then hide from people the out to get you as well as to sneak up on and kill your victims.
- You can now hire help like as body guards to protect with you might or street-walkers to use their bodies to distract armed guards.
- Lot of what you will be doing is climbing and jumping from buildings this plays similar to the Prince of Persia games also made by ubisoft (the sands of time series). Although in this game the controls are more streamlined and user friendly as you can climb way more effectively as well as more realistically (even more then the first game).
- In the first game most of the gameplay is not so much assassinating people but gathering Intel on your targets. This game retains some of that but expands on the concept so much you'll never think you're doing busy work (like the first) and you have a lot more big kill targets as well.
- Combat has been refined by adding things like hammers, clubs, smoke bombs, and the hidden (now dual) assassin blades of course, plus you can steal enemies' weapons and use it against them too. The combat has a bit more over all intelligent flow from the first game, although it builds on that idea.
- Mix up you clothing colors by buy buying dyes for you outfit (in colors like red, green, and black) as well as unlocking new capes for your character. Also buy things like health potions, poisons, new weapons, new armor, and even treasure maps and famous paintings for your villa.
- You even get a villa (which is basically works like a small personal town) which you can upgrade by renting out space to local store owners and then getting goods (the main house seems to be the only place you can swap weapons and armor apparently).

GAME ITS MOST ASSOCATED TOO:
- Assassins Creed (360/PS3/PC)
- Grand Theft Auto 4 (360/PS3)
- HitMan: Blood Money (360)
- Prince of Persia (Xbox/PS2)
- Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3)

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- Ezio the star of Assassins Creed 2 is related to Altaïr of the first game and Desmond is related to both of them
- Assassin's Creed: Lineage, a small set of mini movies (with real actors and CG effects) telling the story leading up to Assassins Creed 2 about Ezio's father (who was also an Assassin). These movies are made by Ubisoft and are found on the internet for free - so go see them.
- Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines (starting Altaïr of the first game) is a PSP game with Connectivity with the PS3 version of this game that can unlock six exclusive and unique weapons in Assassins Creed 2.
- The game skips chapters 12 and 13 - These chapters come in as two downloads for this game. One called The Battle of Forlì and the other called Bonfire of the Vanities. There is also a version of the download Bonfire of the Vanities which comes with the three bonus missions (more Templar Secret locations) previously only found on the limited edition version of Assassins Creed 2.
- At the start screen of Assassin Creed 2 (and also in Splinter Cell: Conviction) you'll see an option of something called Uplay. Uplay is a systems set up by Ubisoft to give players who unlock achievements/trophies in this game bounces for playing Assassins Creed 2. Some things you can unlock in Assassins Creed 2 are a theme for your Xbox 360 or PS3, more throwing knifes for your character, or even unlocking Altaïr's assassins robes from Assassins Creed 1 (which is really cool), and even a new secret assassins tomb under your villa/town.

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Product Description:
The world of the assassin is one cloaked in shadow and steeped in danger. Ensnared in a web of revenge and conspiracy, the assassin embraces power at its most elemental, acting as the dividing line between life and death. As an assassin confronted by perilous new challenges and difficult choices, what path will you choose?


Stunning Graphics
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Roam Freely
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All New Weapons
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Just Dance Review

Bought this game for the kids based on the commercial showing all the activity and the songs. Told my wife we had to try it out first and she balked because it was late, after the kids were in bed. I nagged she gave in I lasted 3 songs she danced every song until 2 in the morning. She had so much fun the game never made it under the Xmas tree. The next day the whole family had a blast. That night friends came over and danced for 3 hours. I'm taking it to the company Xmas party.

Pros - It's fun, fun, fun. The best family or group game since Wii Sport Bowling. It doesn't take a huge amount of skill or even rhythm. It's for the very young, anyone who can get up and boogie or simply the young at heart. If you try to play the game as intended you will get one heck of a total aerobic workout especially the smile muscles.

Cons - Primarily it's just that there is only 30 songs and surprisingly it's not enough, the developers should or had to have known they needed more (so that's the 1 star deduction.) It isn't for hard core gamers who are driven to be able to conquer a stage, solve a puzzle, revel in a high score or master a total game. They simply won't get it at all. The scoring is not spot on for the competition minded. I imagine if you wanted to cheat and just move the wiimote you could bypass the fun all together. May be to much exercise for those with physical impairments.

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Product Description:
In Just Dance players learn real dance moves to songs they know and love across a wide genre of music over the past sixty years. Requiring only one Wii Remote per player, up to four people can break it down at a time, as they follow on-screen choreographed moves set to classic dance tracks, covering a wide variety of musical genres and bringing everyone to the dance floor. The game includes more than 30 chart-topping and foot stomping hits designed to get players moving right out of the box.
Key Game Features:

One of the best dance mixes around: Just Dance features more than 30 licensed tracks, ranging from iconic dance hits such as "You Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer to modern day pop with "Hot N Cold" by Katy Perry.
Scrolling lyrics lines so players can sing along to the beat.
Real dance moves: step to the beat and learn real-life dance moves from music spanning the 80's, 90's, Disco, Rock and more.
Start the party right: raise the roof with anyone and everyone you know via fun 4 player party modes – with simple controls, anyone can pick-up and play.
Workout in disguise: burn calories, stay fit, and enjoy a fun workout all while having a blast with your favorite songs.

Songs:

Acceptable in the 80's – Calvin Harris
A Little Less Conversation – Elvis Presley
Bebe – Divine Brown
Can't Get You Out of My Head – Kylie Minogue
Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex
Hot n' Cold – Katy Perry
Dare – Gorillaz
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor (Rocky)
Fame – In the style of Irene Cara (cover)
Funplex CSS – The B 52's
Girls and Boys – Blur
Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Cindi Lauper
Groove is in the Heart – Dee-Lite
Heart of Glass – Blondie
I Get Around – The Beach Boys
I Like to Move it – Reel To Real
Jerk it Out – Caesars
Jin Go Lo Ba – Fat Boy Slim
Kids in America – Kim Wilde
Le Freak – Chic
Louie Louie – Iggy Pop
Lump – The Presidents Of The USA
Mashed Potato Time – Dee Dee Sharp
Pump up the Jam – Technotronic
Ring My Bell – Anita Ward
Step by Step – New Kids On The Block
Surfin' Bird – The Trashmen
That's the Way (I Like it) – Kc & The Sunshine Band
U Can't Touch This – MC Hammer
Wannabe – The Spice Girls
Who Let the Dogs Out? – Baha Men
Womanizer – In the style of Britney Spears (cover)

Screenshots:

Easy to pick up moves.
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