Professor Layton and the Curious Village Review

Don’t judge this game by its cover-- It’s a lot more than a kid’s game.

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System Played On: DS

Age Rating: E

My Age Rating: E10+

There’s some pretty creepy undertones in Professor Layton-- Especially in the first game of the series.

Graphics: 8/10

Simple was good on this. They didn’t try to over do it at all, they knew the DS could handle cartoony, and they kept it cartoony-- Hopefully they keep it that way.

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Plotline: 9.5/10

This, once again, caught me for its plotline. I seem to have a thing for that. One of the most intriguing, and there’s a reason I own every game: They’re all ORIGINAL and FRESH. It’s not the same story over and over.

Playability: 10/10

What can I say, it’s a puzzle game. Kind of hard to screw that up.

Overall: 9/10

Replay Value:7/10

Though the story doesn’t change if you replay it, there are around 100-200 puzzles per game, and if you miss any and you beat the game, it encourages you to go back and solve all the puzzles. Unlike other games, it’s not like you’re doing pointless missions, the puzzles are there for your enjoyment and headaches.

Synopsis:

Professor Layton and young apprentice Luke go driving to St. Mystere, where they got a letter asking for Layton’s crafty detective work. When Layton and Luke get there, not only are they bombarded with puzzles from the locals, but missing information from the lady that called them there, and murders that lead to a bigger mystery in St. Mystere.

Overall Review:

This game kept me on my seat after every puzzle.

Let me explain.

This game is NOT just a puzzle game.

Sure, there are A LOT of puzzles, but the game itself isn’t like a Brain Game, where you play everyday to improve your brain function to win pointless prizes, this game follows an actual story that keeps you on your toes.

The game ended in a place I never thought it would, and the puzzles gave me countless hours of enjoyment and frustration. It was never an overbearing amount of ridiculously hard puzzles,  and it was never too much plot I got bored. Level-5 seems to have a system in place that creates the perfect mystery game, and it saddens me more haven’t gotten to experience the Professor Layton Series for themselves.

Unfortunately, not much can be said without ruining the mystery, so I guess you kids need to find out yourselves how magnificent this series truly is.

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(GameFAQs) Walkthrough Link: http://professorlaytonwalkthrough.blogspot.com/

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS Review

The only reason I decided to do the 3DS version is because of the multiple features Nintendo decided to add on.
I swear if not for that, I am a N64 girl ‘til the day I die.

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System Played On: 3DS

Age Rating: E10+ for Fantasy Violence, Animated Blood, and Suggestive Themes

My Age Rating:E

Because Suggestive Themes? Really Nintendo? E is more appropriate personally, there’s nothing scary or bad about this game. Majora’s Mask is a different story, though.

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Graphics: 7/10

Definitely clearer and crisper than the Nintendo 64 version, but let’s be honest, we all assumed that was the intention when Ocarina of Time was announced for 3DS centuries ago.  

Plotline: 6/10

Although I do love Legend of Zelda, Ocarina of Time isn’t much for plotline. Sure, good intentions, cool ideas, and great puzzles can make a legacy of a game, but it’s another “Save the Princess” style game. Mario got his fame for it too; I’m not that bitter.

Playability: 9/10

As much as I know I will be a stickler for N64 controllers, the 3DS just runs smoother. ALTHOUGH, I did not like the gyro sensor that they added in. Read more on that in the overall review.

Overall: 7/10

Replay Value:8/10

The only reason this is getting such a high replay value is because they added in additional options, like Master Quest and Boss Challenges: Both only being available after beating the game.

Master Quest wasn’t bad, but I don’t think they tried too hard. Also, Boss Challenges only seem like something speedrunners or perfectionists would enjoy--neither of which I am.

Synopsis:

Young Link is sent off to make sure the villain, Ganondorf, does not do what Princess Zelda’s vision foretold-- Stealing Hyrule’s precious Triforce, the item that holds the utmost powerful magic. (See why I said it was a “Save the Princess” style game?)

Overall Review:

I don’t think it’s in my nature to bash a Legend of Zelda game- but I do need to get a little angry at Nintendo.

Maybe it’s because I don’t like 3DS’s.

Maybe it’s because I don’t like change.

Maybe it’s because I just need to rant about something.

Whatever it is, I need to straighten this out. I’m in no way angered at the original game, or the remastered version, simply the added features on the 3DS version.

I’ve already stated my opinion on Master Quest and Boss challenge, but there are 3 more fun bonus features!

Motion control, which means you can use the gyro in the 3DS for a full 360 first person perspective view, Touch screen menu, which is having access to maps and items on the bottom screen at all times, and “hints”, which are added checkpoints where you will be “told a vision” of how to get past a puzzle.

Motion control was a cool concept, except for its completely irrelevant to a game like Ocarina of Time, since it’s a puzzle game, not a shooter.

Touch screen menu just gets me slightly butt hurt, because there’s something terrifying about opening your map right before getting shot by a skeleton that children will never experience these days; But this last one really boils my blood.

Kids are literally given cheats IN GAME now. No more sitting for 2 hours pissing off at the game for not getting a puzzle. Now all you have to do it go to a local “vision statue”, which tells you a vision of how to get past a certain part of a dungeon or map location. SO not about that.

With all that aside though, they still did a really good job with graphic improvements, and that’s enough incentive for me to go out and buy the game.

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(GameFAQs) Walkthrough Link:

http://www.ign.com/games/the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-3d/3ds-77881

Ib Reivew

You wanted a totally rad indie horror game to play?! What a coincidence! I got an amazing pixel horror game for you--and it’s free!

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System Played On: PC

Age Rating: Not Rated

My Age Rating: 10

I really think an “ideal age range” all has to do with your ability to puzzle and how scared you can get. You could be an 8 year old and still enjoy this game if you don’t get the living wits scared out of you.

Graphics: 7/10

I mean, it’s suppose to be all pixely...right?

The game does occasionally glitch out since it is a very simplistic system that the creators used to make the game itself, but I’m finding it hard to demote the integrity of the game because of it.

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Plotline: 9/10

This plotline is surprisingly original, considering horror games are normally some of the most cliche games I’ve ever laid my hands on.

It was a breath of fresh air, even though it felt like I couldn’t breathe sometimes because of the jumpscares.

Playability: 8/10

Since it is pixel, each move needs a sprite, and glitching spots during animation is minimal.

Replay Value:9/10

Replaying is one of the best parts of this game--because there’s more than one ending!

That’s right, you can replay the game and get a different ending almost every time, since the variables that change the ending are very little things that most people don’t even notice.

It’s one of the greatest aspects of this game.

Overall: 8/10

Synopsis:

Ib and her family decided to go to an art museum to go look at a new spotlight artist, but when Ib wanders off the power goes out and she gets lost the paintings--literally. Ib now is in an alternate dimension of the museum, one where the artists paintings come to life, and we find nine year old Ib having to fight the paintings herself.

Though Ib finds some friends, she also finds enemies, and it’s up to the player to decide her fate.

Overall Review:

Ib was one of the most delightfully cynical games I’ve ever played.

The creator, Kouri, is not only innovative in ideas and storyline, but also pays attention to the little details, to make every playthrough and unique and enlightening experience.

I immediately fell in love with this game the minute I picked it up, between the enchanting soundtrack and the eerie paintings, so much time and effort went into this game I couldn’t not appreciate it.

I don’t want to spoil too much, but I can conclude that this is in fact one of the most charming games I’ve ever picked up, and if you’re looking for something that will knock you off your feet when it comes to being not only scared, but confused, you need to pick up this game immediately.

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Download here!

Portal Review

Hello everybody! Who’s ready for some sociopath robots and cubes that are your only friend?

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System Played On: PS3

Age Rating: T (Blood and Mild Violence)

My Age Rating:13

I’m going to have to join ESRB on this one, being a teenager is probably the best age to be playing Portal. Not only is it confusing to figure out sometimes, but I feel like younger kids wouldn’t be able to fully grasp the plot and just how creepy it is.

Graphics: 8/10

This isn’t one of those games you play because you know it’ll have good graphics, after all, how can you make white walls and metal doors look really good? But the graphics are sufficient enough, making everything look clean and very put together.

Plotline: 7/10

There plot was kind of scattered. You found out the past of the Aperture Science Center through random stories that the main antagonist decides they are willing to share, and the few clues you find throughout the game. It can be challenging to some to put the plot together and realize just how dark it actually is.

Playability: 7/10
While the controls aren’t exactly complex, they can be difficult for people to figure out, as well as the game itself being a series of puzzles for the player to try to solve on their own. It can also be super disorienting to be jumping through portals that are constantly changing the direction you’re looking, walking, and sometimes shooting.

Overall: 8/10

Synopsis:

Chell wakes up in a test chamber in the Aperture Science building. Inside, GlaDOS, a computer program that seems to control the entire building, directs Chell around the area. GlaDOS only explains to the player that you need to be tested in several different chambers, most of which are deadly.

The only weapon you have to aide you is the Portal gun, a gun that can shoot two different portals on almost any platform.

If you shoot one on the wall, and then another on a ledge, you have now connected the two areas and you can use the portals as doors. By shooting these portals around you take on evil turret robots, avoid poisonous waters, and attempt to rescue your small cube friends, all the while listening to the malevolent GlaDOS who seems like she wants nothing more than for you to die.

Fun, right?

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Overall Review:

Playing through Portal was extremely fun for me. I brought my other friend along for the ride and we had a great time screaming as we dodged turret fire and almost cried when we had to lose our precious cube. It was a great mind workout to try to figure out every puzzle that came along,

and it was interesting trying to string the plot together.

Although, it was also very time consuming to play through all the levels, and kind of hard to deal with GlaDOS’ constant attempts to kill you. The game was really great, but not very special.

There’s definitely no game out there like Portal, but Portal itself isn’t really all that great. It wouldn’t make my top ten games, but I wouldn’t mind playing it again, if only to see if I could do it. It’s definitely the kind of game you could get annoyed with and end up quitting before you finish it, but if you sit down and do it in all one go (which is alright if you have a buddy along for the ride) you’d have a pretty fun time.

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Walkthrough Link: (IGN) http://www.ign.com/wikis/portal/Walkthrough

ICO review

Shadow of Colossus is one of my all time favourite games, and ICO being the self proclaimed sequel, I had to try it out for myself.

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System Played On: PS3

Age Rating: T (for Blood and Violence)

My Age Rating: 12

There’s so many puzzles you have to have a lot of patience. Violence and blood aren’t really a big deal, for more than half the game you're hitting shadows with a stick.

Graphics: 6/10

There was nothing really great about them. It made me a little sad, since they did such a magnificent job remaking Shadow of Colossus for PS3, the graphics in ICO were just flat. Personally, I’m almost scared to play this on PS2 if this is what it looked like remastered.

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Plotline: 7/10

Was there really a plot line? It was almost similar to Legend of Zelda, where you just assume you’re out to get Princess Zelda, but were never told what to do. Hey, have a ghost child, and drag her around. Make sure she doesn’t die.

You never really knew what the point was until the end, and even then it was unclear.

Playability: 5/10

Uncoordinated hero number two, thanks a lot Team ICO. It feels almost as if Sony and the creators tried to make the character extremely hard to control just to add another level of frustration to the endless puzzle.

Also, there was never a walkthrough on how to jump, move items, pull levers, or any clue as to what the controls were. You kind of just mashed every button until you figured it out.

Replay Value: 6/10
Maybe if you're in to speed running like me, but there's really only one way to fight every boss. Not really worth playing multiple times besides to see if they have anymore information about the plot SOMEWHERE in the video game.

Overall: 6.5/10

Synopsis:

Ico is a young boy that was born with horns, which is considered cursed and unholy in the land. He is taken to a castle and held there to be sacrificed. Naturally, Ico escapes and meets a girl named Yorda.

Yorda seems to have the enemies, which take the form of shadow beasts, chasing after her and is in need of a guardian to protect her. Ico decides he’s perfect for the job, and so the rest of the game focuses on him protecting Yorda as they explore the castle and try to escape from the evil queen who seems to have previous relations with Yorda.

Overall Review:

After playing the game, all I could really think is meh. It was pretty disappointing to play in comparison to Shadow of Colossus.

Not only was the player given another uncoordinated hero, they weren’t even given guidance as to how to play the game. I didn’t think they’d lay out a perfect walkthrough for the player, but I assumed they’d at least inform me as to why Ico is trying to save Yorda and how exactly to climb the freaking wall.

Along with that, it’s known this was made earlier than Colossus, but the graphics were so different between the two, even in this HD remake, that it seemed like ICO was neglected from the beginning.

They had the opportunity to make beautiful scenery and a detailed creepy old queen, but instead the player was left with shoddy graphics that didn’t do justice to the game. Even HD couldn’t save it.

Since players  were given almost no instructions on what they were to do, it was almost impossible to figure out what you needed to do and even harder to convince yourself to keep playing.

(GameFAQs) Walkthrough Link:

http://www.ign.com/wikis/the-ico-shadow-of-the-colossus-collection/Ico_Walkthrough