BioShock (360) – Mid-game Thoughts

I’ve gotten about 8 hours under my belt with BioShock, and while I posted some comments over at Shacknews, I think I’ve got a few more things nailed down about something that pokes me the wrong way about this game.
First, the game itself is visually stunning and beautiful.  Graphics are just fine, but the architecture [...]

Persona 3 (PS2) – Midgame Thoughts

With a tad under 20 hrs under my belt for this game, I’ve got a better feel for it.
The game is closer to a roguelike random dungeon crawl game (like Nethack or Angband) than your typical RPG – basically, you’re not wandering a large overworld, and there’s only one dungeon with about 200+ floors which [...]

Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm (PS2) – Mid-game Thoughts

So I’ve logged about 20hrs on the game now, more than the halfway point, and there’s definitely pluses and minuses for the game.
Pluses:
- The quest system is pretty good to fill in the game where the story can’t take  the game (that is, the main story to this point is not all-encompassing, yet).  Since you [...]

The Darkness (360) – Mid-game Thoughts

I was worried before about this game not offering much, but there’s actually a pretty good bit of content here.  The game does a good job of keeping a story telling pace while keeping the action going at the same time.  It’s got a Max Payne head-warping feel to it, particularly with at least two [...]

.hack//G.U. Volume 2 (PS2) – Mid-game Thoughts (~17hr)

Not much to say on this right now beyond the fact that I’m burning through this – the gameplay is not hard at all except that you just need to make sure that you have a healer with a lot of spell point revival items along for the ride.
I’m also finding what is sort of [...]

Rogue Galaxy (PS2) – Mid-Game Thoughts (~20hr)

I’ve hit the point in Rogue Galaxy where I’ve gotten all the features of the game explained and/or unlocked, most which are pretty cool… however, the general structure of the game of the common gameplay and combat is starting to wear rather thin.
As mentioned, combat occurs in real time as you explore the level; when [...]

Super Paper Mario (Wii) – Mid-Game Thoughts (~50%)

Just completed the 4th world today, so I know I’m at 50% for the game.
First of all, this is a great game.  However…
I think this is a game that came with expectations, and while it’s meeting those in spades, there’s just something… different about the game.
It’s definitely not a pure platformer.  Those hoping for such [...]

Enchanted Arms (360) – Mid-game Thoughts (~20hr/60%)

So I’ve put a good chunk of time into Enchanted Arms over the weekend (broke 10,000 Gamerpoints with it, woo!)
I will say that without knowing how the game lets you improve your skills, the skill/battle system seems awfully random.  However, once I recognized that nearly every skill has a progressively better one that the character [...]

Just Cause (360) – ~5hr

Going back through some games that came out during the fall rush of releases.
Just Cause can simply be put as, specifically, GTA:SA taking place in a tropical island.  The goal is to try to overthrow the persons in power, and as such, the island is divided into several zones (like the first city in SA).  [...]

Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom (PS3) ~ 10hr

Man, this game is a button-mashing fest.  There’s almost no skill in it, yet, beyond making sure to upgrade your armor at save points.  Plus for a PS3 game, the camera control is poor and the graphics are rather bland.   I have a hard time classify this even as an RPG despite it having some [...]