Issue 78: September 2010

Sports Champions (PS3)
Developer: Sony
Publisher: Sony
Genre: Sports / Party
6/10



Kung Fu Rider (PS3)
Genre: Racing / Party
4/10



Racket Sports (PS3)
Genre: Sports / Party
6/10



EyePet: Move Edition (PS3)
Genre: Simulation
3/10



Start the Party (PS3)
Genre: Party
3/10



Halo: Reach (X360)
Developer: Bungie
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: FPS
10/10
Summary: Halo: Reach is better, longer, prettier and more full of content than any other part in the Halo series. Bungie's last Halo game is also their best.



F1 2010 (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: Codemasters
Genre: Racing
8/10
Summary: Cool sense of speed, lots of content and an addictive career mode.



Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (PS3, Wii, X360)
Developer: Beenox
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Action
7/10
Summary: Spider-Man still has a long way to go before his adventures reaches the same class as Batman's escapades in Arkham Asylum, but Shattered Dimensions is still the best Spider-Man game in very long.



Metroid: Other M (Wii)
Developer: Project M / Tecmo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Action
7/10
Summary: In the end, Metroid: Other M is a good action game that takes Samus into a somewhat different direction. The action parts are very quickly paced and the controls are good, but there are some annoying moments.



Kane & Lynch 2: Dogs Days (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: IO Interactive
Publisher: Square Enix
Genre: Action / Shooter
6/10
Summary: Dog Days is a step in the right direction, but the actual mechanics would need to be remade from scratch for IO to be able to aspire for a higher grade.



Toy Story 3: The Video Game (Multi)
Developer: Avalanche Productions
Publisher: Disney
Genre: Action / Platformer
7/10
Summary: Forget about the half-done single player component, Toy Story 3 is a sweet, stimulating playground for kids and adult kids. You never grow too old to play.



Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow (DS)
Developer: Mistwalker
Publisher: Namco
Genre: RPG
6/10
Summary: Awakened Shadow has its moments and it gets especially exciting in the boss fights, where I'm forced to be both quick and tactical about my shadow powers. But this is not a role-playing game that will go down in history.



Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Ubisoft Romania
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Flight
7/10
Summary: HAWX 2 does pretty much everything better than its predecessor. The controls are better and so are the missions, the graphics and the presentation.



Phantasy Star Portable 2 (PSP)
Developer: Alfa System
Publisher: Sega
Genre: RPG
7/10



Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (PC, X360)
Developer: Crystal Dynamics
Publisher: Square Enix
Genre: Action / Platformer
8/10



BlazBlue: Continuum Shift (PS3, X360)
Developer: Arc Systems
Publisher: Arc Systems
Genre: Fighting
8/10



Top Gun (PS3)
Developer: Paramount Digital Entertainment
Publisher: Paramount
Genre: Flight
2/10



NHL 11 (PC, PS3, X360, Wii)
Developer: EA Sports
Publisher: EA
Genre: Sports
9/10
Summary: It tooks EA Sports three years to implement the physics engine that they've talked about since 2008, and you can definitely tell there's a difference. NHL 11 is a bliss to play and it easily outshines the competition known as NHL 2K11.



Dodonpachi Resurrection (Iphone)
Developer: Cave
Publisher: Cave
Genre: Arcade / Shooter
9/10
Summary: More pixel war than you ever thought was possible, packed into an accessible format perfect for short bursts of fun.



Dead Rising 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Blue Castle Games
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Action
8/10
Summary: Capcom has stuffed a sparkling casino world with humour and stabb-friendly dead meat. A definite buy for everyone who enjoyed the first game.



Pinball HD (Iphone)
8/10



Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (PS3, X360)
8/10



Dead Rising 2: Case Zero (X360)
8/10

Issue 77: August 2010

Mafia II (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: 2K Czech
Publisher: 2K Games
Genre: Action/Shooter
9/10
Summary: Mafia II is not perfect. Too short, does not contain much replay value and sometimes the transportation lengths are a little too long. At the same time it's skillfully told, incredibly good-looking and close to unimaginably atmospheric.



Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty (PC, Mac)
Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Strategy
9/10
Summary: Retro-smelling strategy brilliance with the best multiplayer mode in the genre.



Singularity (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Raven
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Shooter/Action
9/10
Summary: Nice looking, varied, atmospheric, polished, stylized design and really challenging.



Ace Combat: Joint Assault (PSP)
Developer: Project Aces
Publisher: Namco
Genre: Flight
7/10



Sniper: Ghost Warrior (PC, X360)
Developer: City Interactive
Publisher: City Interactive
Genre: Stealth/Shooter
5/10



Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (DS)
Developer: Level 5
Publisher: Square Enix
Genre: RPG
8/10



Need for Speed: World (PC)
Developer: EA Black Box
Publisher: EA
Genre: Racing/MMO
4/10



Archetype (Iphone)
7/10



Hydro Thunder Hurricane (X360)
7/10



Castlevania: Harmony of Despair (X360)
6/10

Issue 76: June/July 2010

Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Platforming
10/10
Summary: Yes, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the best Wii game so far. A perfect sequel where the finished, fantastic formula has been spiced up with several exciting news. This is one single big explosion of colors, playfulness and good ideas that will keep you entertained throughout the whole summer.



Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (PSP)
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Stealth/Action
8/10
Summary: A meaty agent adventure that usually, but not always, makes you forget the limitations of the portable hardware. The production values are huge and the joy of playing is always there.



UFC 2010 Undisputed (PS3, X360)
Developer: Yuke's
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Sports
8/10
Summary: I was expecting the exact same game as last year. I got something more. UFC 2010 Undisputed is a way better game than last year's first try and it's nice to see how closely Yuke's and THQ listened to the fans. This fall we'll see if EA can match this.



Blur (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Bizarre Creations
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Racing/Action
7/10
Summary: Blur brings joy to the sadist inside me but leaves the racing maniac somewhat unsatisfied.



Great Giana Sisters (DS)
Developer: Spellbound Interactive
Publisher: DTP
Genre: Platforming
6/10



Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (PS3, X360, Wii)
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Action/Adventure
7/10



Clash of the Titans (PS3, X360)
Developer: Namco
Publisher: Namco
Genre: Action
4/10



Things on Wheels (X360)
Developer: Load Inc.
Publisher: Southpeak
Genre: Racing
6/10



Planet Minigolf (PS3)
Developer: Zen Studios
Publisher: Zen Studios
Genre: Sports
5/10



Hexyz Force (PSP)
Developer: Sting Studios
Publisher: Atlus
Genre: RPG
6/10



Pirate's Treasure (Iphone)
Developer: Gamelab
Publisher: Gamelab
Genre: Action/Adventure
7/10



Backbreaker (PS3, X360)
Developer: Natural Motion
Publisher: 505 Games
Genre: Sports
5/10



Green Day: Rock Band (PS3, X360, Wii)
Developer: Harmonix
Publisher: EA
Genre: Music
6/10
Summary: Unfortunately, Green Day's music is a little too one-sided for it to be a success in game form.



Demon's Souls (PS3)
Developer: From Software
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Genre: Action/RPG
8/10
Summary: A real challenge for role-players who are not afraid to die. Demon's Souls demands total dedication and attention. You can sleep later, in the grave.



Alpha Protocol (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Obsidian
Publisher: SEGa
Genre: Action/RPG
7/10
Summary: An ambitious spy RPG that sounded incredibly good earlier on, but it contains more flaws than expected, unfortunately. Alpha Protocol should've gotten one more year in development.



Doom II (X360)
Genre: Shooter
8/10



Söldner-X 2: Final Prototype (PS3)
Genre: Arcade/Shooter
8/10



Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2 (Iphone)
Genre: Racing
8/10

Issue 75: May 2010

Red Dead Redemption (PS3, X360)
Developer: Rockstar San Diego
Publisher: Rockstar
Genre: Action
10/10
Summary: Rockstar has not only managed to make the best western game ever, they also made an adult, well-written storyline that really engages, touch and is genre-bending. Red Dead Redemption, in short, is a masterpiece nobody can afford to miss.



Alan Wake (X360)
Developer: Remedy
Publisher: Remedy
Genre: Horror/Thriller
7/10
Summary: Remedy's anticipated project of eternity didn't really turn out to be the playable Twin Peaks I was hoping for, but it's atleast an atmospheric action title.



Skate 3 (PS3, X360)
Developer: Black Box Games
Publisher: EA
Genre: Extreme Sports
7/10
Summary: A really good skateboarding game that unforunately suffers from semi-old technicals and a weak career mode.



Split/Second (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Black Rock Studios
Publisher: Disney Interactive
Genre: Racing/Action
6/10
Summary: Although it has some good modes and lots of big explosions, Split/Second feels like a racing game that depends way too much on a gimmick that's not very interesting. Good chaos also needs good order, and even though Split/Second isn't a total disaster, the promised carnage is pretty weak.



ModNation Racers (PS3)
Developer: United Front Studios
Publisher: Sony
Genre: Racing
6/10
Summary: Lots of content and a well-done online support are of course nice parts of ModNation Racers. Loose controls and boring kart-physics make this an average speed thrill.



Lost Planet 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Shooter/Action
7/10
Summary: Capcom should've made better priorities to be able to reach the top scores, but Lost Planet 2 is undoubtebly a purchase for everyone who enjoyed the original and most of all for you who wants a modest and crazy multiplayer game.



God of War Collection (PS3)
Developer: Sony Santa Monica
Publisher: Sony
Genre: Action
8/10
Summary: A full-fledged experience so masculine, so full of testosterone and so epic that the chest hair will frizzle by just thinking of it.



No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle (Wii)
Developer: Grasshopper
Publisher: Rising Star Games
Genre: Action
8/10
Summary: A sequel of the best kind. Tops the original in all fields without losing its personality.



3D Dot Game Heroes (PS3)
Developer: Silicon Studio
Publisher: From Software
Genre: Action/RPG
6/10



Monster Hunter Tri (Wii)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Action/RPG
8/10



Iron Man 2 (Multi)
Developer: SEGA
Publisher: SEGA
Genre: Action
3/10



Kick-@$$ (PS3)
Developer: Wha Entertainment
Publisher: Frozen Codebase
Genre: Action
3/10



Left 4 Dead 2: The Passing (PC, X360)
Genre: Action/Shooter
8/10



Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition (PC, X360)
Genre: Action
8/10



Iron Man 2: The Game (Iphone)
Genre: Action
4/10

Issue 74: April 2010

Splinter Cell: Conviction (PC, X360)
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Action
8/10
Summary: Sam Fisher takes a big step in a new direction for the Splinter Cell-games, without sacrificing too much.



Super Street Fighter IV (PS3, X360)
Developer: Dimps / Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Fighting
9/10
Summary: Fantastic character selection, wonderful controls and lovely graphics. Super Street Fighter IV is fighting at its finest.



Lead and Gold (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Fatshark
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Genre: Shooter / Multiplayer
8/10
Summary: The western theme feels perfect and Lead and Gold entertains on a high level.



BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (PS3, X360)
Developer: Arc System Works
Publisher: Zen
Genre: Fighting
8/10
Summary: The creators of Guilty Gear gives us wild and gorgeous 2D-fighting that is easy to get into, but incredibly hard to master.



Dead to Rights: Retribution (PS3, X360)
Developer: Volatile Games
Publisher: Namco
Genre: Action
6/10
Summary: Dead to Rights: Retribution feels like playing a classic Chuck Norris-movie and it has pretty much the same entertainment value. Which, truth be told, isn't the most terrible thing.



2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa (PS3, X360)
Developer: EA
Publisher: EA
Genre: Sports
7/10
Summary: A good soccer game that you don't need to get if you already own FIFA 10.



Red Steel 2 (Wii)
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Action
8/10
Summary: A huge improvement from the first game and a well-controlled battle system that has real depth. Also, the graphical design is both unique and technically impressive.



The Hero (Iphone)
Developer: Traplight Games
Publisher: Chillingo
Genre: Action
7/10



Pokémon HeartGold (DS)
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: RPG
8/10



Calling (Wii)
Developer: Hudson
Publisher: Hudson
Genre: Horror
5/10



Metro 2033 (PC, X360)
Developer: 4A Games
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Shooter
7/10



Final Fight: Double Impact (PS3, X360)
Genre: Action
8/10



Wakeboarding HD (PS3)
Genre: Sports
8/10



Mega Man 10 (Wii, PS3, X360)
Genre: Platform
7/10

Issue 73: March 2010

God of War III (PS3)
Developer: Sony Santa Monica
Publisher: Sony
Genre: Action
9/10
Summary: A very epic experience where beautiful vistas, huge fights and purified gaming joy has been prioritized.



Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: DICE
Publisher: EA
Genre: Shooter
8/10
Summary: A very weak singleplayer adventure is weighed up by a brilliant multiplayer component that is hugely impressive.



Just Cause 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Avalanche
Publisher: Eidos
Genre: Action
8/10
Summary: Sweet exaggerated action with a huge amount of freedom is what's being offered in this polished sequel. Panau is the gaming resort of the year and Avalanche has learned from their mistakes they made in the first game.



Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight (PC)
Developer: EA Los Angeles
Publisher: EA
Genre: Strategy
8/10
Summary: A Command & Conquer that has peeled off skin for the future and transformed into a more fresh, tighter, fun and foreward-looking strategy game that's easy to like.



Aliens vs. Predator (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Rebellion
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Action/Shooter
6/10
Summary: No, it's not as good as we hoped for. Sure, the Predator-campaign is fun, bloody and varied and the multiplayer-mode is good enough. But the rest smells like skunk.



Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (PC, PS3, Wii, X360)
Developer: Sumo Digital
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Racing
7/10
Summary: Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is a party game with a warm recommendation and something that everybody could have fun with, even if it would have benefited from some more polishing.



Napoleon: Total War (PC)
Developer: Creative Assembly
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Strategy
8/10
Summary: Even with a lack of news, Creative Assembly impresses once again. The unofficial kings of the strategy genre hasn't made a single bad game in the Total War series. It has to be applauded.



Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, X360)
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Genre: RPG
7/10
Summary: Square gives you the thirteenth installment, an incredibly good-looking roleplaying-game filled with high production values. Unfortunately the story is pretty mediocre and the adventure is a little too linear to make me fall completely for it.



BioShock 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: 2K Marin
Publisher: 2K Games
Genre: Shooter
8/10
Summary: Rapture and the plasmids has lost a little bit of excitement, but BioShock 2 is still really thrilling.



Yakuza 3 (PS3)
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Fighting/RPG
7/10
Summary: Yakuza 3 is the game for everybody that dreams daily of Shenmue 3. It's dramatic, entertaining and incredibly Japanese.



MotoGP 09/10 (PS3, X360)
Developer: Monumental Games
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Racing
7/10



Star Trek Online (PC)
Developer: Cryptic Studios
Publisher: Atari
Genre: MMO/RPG
6/10



Resident Evil 5: Lost in Nightmares (PS3, X360)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Action/Shooter/Horror
7/10



Resonance of Fate (PS3, X360)
Developer: Tri-Ace
Publisher: Sega
Genre: RPG
6/10



Fret Nice (PS3, X360)
Genre: Platform
7/10



Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth (Wii)
Genre: Platform
6/10



The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom (X360)
Genre: Platform/Puzzle
8/10

Issue 72: February 2010

Mass Effect 2 (PC, X360)
Developer: Bioware
Publisher: EA
Genre: Action/RPG
10/10
Summary: Regardless if you're a hopeless action junkie, a role-playing geek or a fanatic sci-fi nerd there is something here for you. A masterpiece.



Heavy Rain (PS3)
Developer: Quantic Dream
Publisher: Sony
Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller
9/10
Summary: Heavy Rain is a masterpiece of storytelling.



Dante's Inferno (PS3, X360)
Developer: Visceral Games
Publisher: EA
Genre: Action
8/10
Summary: EA offers a fantasy version of a classical poem about hell.



Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars (Wii)
Developer: 8ing
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Fighting
8/10
Summary: On one side there is a bunch of Japanese anime characters that no sensibly smelling human being knows of. On the other side there is a well-known cast of Capcom-creations. When they meet the result is just as messy as it is crazy and brilliant.



White Knight Chronicles (PS3)
Developer: Level 5
Publisher: Sony
Genre: RPG
7/10
Summary: A stereotypical standard role-playing game with a nice battle system and a decent online mode.



S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat (PC)
Developer: GSC Game World
Publisher: Koch Media
Genre: Shooter
7/10
Summary: Pripyat is atmospheric, exciting and addictive. If it had been a more concrete work it might have had the chance to give Fallout 3 a run for its money.



Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll (Wii)
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Platform/Puzzle
6/10
Summary: The monkeys are back in a nice puzzle game. To roll balls is still fun and the amount of mini games included is impressive.



MAG (PS3)
Developer: Zipper Interactive
Publisher: Sony
Genre: Shooter
5/10



Tony Hawk: Ride (PS3, Wii, X360)
Developer: Robomodo
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Extreme Sports
4/10



Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes (DS)
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Puzzle/RPG
8/10



Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter (X360)
Developer: Croteam
Publisher: Croteam
Genre: Shooter
6/10



N.O.V.A. - Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance (Iphone)
Genre: Action
8/10



NBA Hotshot (Iphone)
Genre: Sports
8/10



Arkedo Pixel (X360)
Genre: Platform
8/10