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

Issue 71: November 2009

Assassin's Creed II (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Action
7/10
Summary: An incredibly beautiful and ambitious action game, which unfortunately suffers from the predecessor's repetitiveness and a pretty big amount of boring missions. Third time's a charm, Ubisoft?



Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Infinity Ward
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Shooter
9/10
Summary: Entertaining, albeit short, singleplayer and completely amazing multiplayer.



Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Wii)
Developer: Cavia, Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Shooter
7/10
Summary: It's fun to kill the living dead. To stop thinking and just point at your TV. Sometimes, that's all you need.



LittleBigPlanet PSP (PSP)
Developer: Sony Cambridge
Publisher: Sony
Genre: Platformer
8/10
Summary: A lovable little adventure that every PSP-owner with a good heart should look into.



New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer
8/10
Summary: Mario in two dimensions is Nintendo-magic for both you and your friends.



Dragon Age: Origins (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Bioware
Publisher: EA
Genre: RPG
9/10
Summary: A full-featured, demanding and addicting masterpiece that, without shame, can be put among the best in the genre.



Bayonetta (X360)
Developer: Platinum Games
Publisher: SEGA
Genre: Action
9/10
Summary: Bizarre design meets ultra explosive madness action and the result is a fantastic action spectacle that you just can't miss.



Left 4 Dead 2 (PC, X360)
Developer: Valve
Publisher: EA
Genre: Shooter
9/10
Summary: Lots of amazing weapons and unique modes make Left 4 Dead 2 a zombie-lover's wet dream.



Muramasa: The Demon Blade (Wii)
Developer: Vanillaware
Publisher: Ignition
Genre: Action
7/10
Summary: With a sharp blade enemies are cut down to pieces. Muramasa is a sidescrolling action game with RPG moments that will impress everybody who likes beautiful two-dimensional graphics.



DJ Hero (Multi)
Developer: Freestyle Games
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Music/Rhythm
9/10



Grand Theft Auto IV: Ballad of Gay Tony (X360)
Developer: Rockstar
Publisher: Rockstar
Genre: Action
8/10



Borderlands (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Gearbox
Publisher: Take 2
Genre: Shooter/RPG
7/10



Band Hero (PS3, X360, Wii)
Developer: Neversoft
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Music/Rhythm
6/10



NBA Unrivaled (PS3, X360)
Genre: Sports
1/10



Super Star Wars (Wii)
Genre: Platformer
7/10



Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 3: Lair of the Leviathan (Wii)
Genre: Adventure
7/10

Issue 70: October 2009

Sorry for the big delay...


Forza Motorsport 3 (X360)
Developer: Turn 10
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: Racing
8/10
Summary: Lots of cars, lots of tracks. Forza 3 is packed with sweet content and the online-portion is the best in the genre...



Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: Codemasters
Genre: Shooter
8/10
Summary: Well done war simulator with lots of military porno. Addicting, challenging and extremely fun but not without its flaws.



Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (DS, Wii)
Developer: SEGA
Publisher: SEGA
Genre: Sports
3/10
Summary: Mario and Sonic's winter games is an unprecise and boring mega-fiasco that I cannot recommend to anyone.



Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 (PS3, X360)
Developer: Vicarious Visions
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Action
6/10
Summary: Even if a lot in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 feels unpolished, it's still genuinely fun to sit down with three friends in the couch and smash mutants and killer robots.



Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony
Genre: Action/Adventure
10/10
Summary: Uncharted 2 is an amazing matine adventure that impress in so many different ways.



Dead Space: Extraction (Wii)
Developer: Visceral Games
Publisher: EA
Genre: Shooter/Horror
6/10
Summary: Nice graphics and a hanful of good ideas impress but rotten dialogue and a slow pace makes Dead Space: Extraction an average game.



Tekken 6 (PS3, X360)
Developer: Namco
Publisher: Namco
Genre: Fighting
8/10
Summary: If you're tired of Street Fighter IV and you're looking for the next big fight, you should buy Namco's hotly anticipated number six. It's fast, tough and filled with meaty content.



Brütal Legend (PS3, X360)
Developer: Double Fine
Publisher: EA
Genre: Action/Strategy
9/10
Summary: Tim Schafer has done it again. Brütal Legend is a tribute to lively imagination, heavy metal and beer trees. You have never seen anything like it.



Halo 3: ODST (X360)
Developer: Bungie
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: Shooter
8/10
Summary: A different kind of telling and a fantastic multiplayer portion weighs up to the fact that ODST does not play in the same league as Halo 3.



Blades of Fury (Iphone)
Developer: Gameloft
Publisher: Gameloft
Genre: Fighting
7/10



Gran Turismo PSP (PSP)
Developer: Polyphony Digital
Publisher: Sony
Genre: Racing
5/10



Modern Combat: Sandstorm (Iphone)
Developer: Gameloft
Publisher: Gameloft
Genre: Shooter
5/10



MotorStorm: Arctic Edge (PSP)
Developer: Bigbig Studios
Publisher: Sony
Genre: Racing
7/10

Issue 69: September 2009

Colin McRae: Dirt 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: Codemasters
Genre: Racing
9/10
Summary: Genius physics, wonderful graphics, and amazing variation makes this one of the greatest games of the year. Although I do miss split-screen multiplayer, this is otherwise completely amazing.



The Beatles: Rock Band (PS3, Wii, X360)
Developer: Harmonix
Publisher: MTV Games
Genre: Music/Rhythm
9/10
Summary: A collection of timeless songs, varied and fun to play, and presented in a great way for the world's greatest band. The Beatles: Rock Band will also bring joy to several generations.



Guitar Hero 5 (PS2, PS3, Wii, X360)
Developer: Neversoft
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Music/Rhythm
7/10
Summary: Lots of good improvements saves Guitar Hero 5 which includes a mostly rotten tracklist.



NHL 10 (PS3, X360)
Developer: EA Sports
Publisher: EA
Genre: Sports
9/10
Summary: EA does it again. This is a completely brilliant view of the sport and the best sports game of the year.



FIFA 10 (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: EA Sports
Publisher: EA
Genre: Sports
8/10
Summary: An already excellent football-game has been taken to the next level. Improved physics, better pace and more responsive controls adds to a very strong eight.



Need for Speed: Shift (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Slightly Mad Studios
Publisher: EA
Genre: Racing
8/10
Summary: Challenging and unforgivening simulator with stunning graphics and a great collection of cars. The definitive version is Need for Speed: Shift on PC.



Scribblenauts (DS)
Developer: 5th Cell
Publisher: Warner
Genre: Puzzle/Platformer
9/10
Summary: Incredibly creative puzzling for everyone with a big chunk of imagination. The most fun portable game of the year is called Scribblenauts and we recommend you to purchase it.



Wet (PS3, X360)
Developer: A2M
Publisher: Bethesda
Genre: Action
6/10
Summary: The graphical style, the presentation and the atmosphere in Wet excels most everything. Artificial Minds have succeeded very well there. Too bad the game isn't more than average.



Champions Online (PC)
Developer: Cryptic
Publisher: Atari
Genre: MMORPG
7/10
Summary: Colorful online-RPG with a simple and easy-to-understand setup.



G-Force (Multi)
Developer: Eurocom
Publisher: Disney
Genre: Action/Platformer
7/10
Summary: G-Force is overall a decent action-platformer with parts for mostly younger players, but also contains little pigs that charms us all.



Raven Squad: Operation Hidden Dagger (PC, X360)
Developer: Atomic Motion
Publisher: Evolved Games
Genre: Shooter/Strategy
5/10
Summary: A failed attempt at a good idea.



Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny (PSP)
Developer: Namco
Publisher: Namco
Genre: Fighting
8/10
Summary: The combination of amazingly stunning graphics and nice online support makes this to an obvious purchase recommendation.



Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (PS3)
Developer: Tecmo/Team Ninja
Publisher: Tecmo
Genre: Action
5/10
Summary: No gore, invisible walls and blocky graphics. Buy Devil May Cry 4 instead, or wait for God of War III.



Trials HD (X360)
Genre: Sports
8/10
Summary: Challenging, addicting, satisfying and filled with action. Most of all, it's very fun.



Gangstar: West Coast Hustle (Iphone)
Genre: Action
8/10
Summary: A successful game that takes advantage of the strengths in the Iphone. Try it out, pimp your Iphone.



Wolfenstein RPG (Iphone)
Genre: RPG/Shooter
8/10
Summary: Wolfenstein RPG is recommended to everyone that appreciates Id's nazi-action, but still won't say no to a new version of a solid classic with an open mind.

Issue 68: August 2009

Batman: Arkham Asylum (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Publisher: Eidos
Genre: Action
9/10
Summary: Batman: Arkham Asylum is an exciting, good-looking and well-written adventure with the world's greatest bat in the time of his life. The summer blockbuster has arrived!



Wii Sports Resort (Wii)
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Sports/Party
7/10
Summary: Wii Sports Resort tops its predecessor and it's a really good, summer-y partygame. Nintendo's sunfilled island is hard to leave.



King of Fighters XII (PS3, X360)
Developer: SNK
Publisher: Ignition
Genre: Fighting
5/10
Summary: SNK has to get things right if they don't wanna be laughed at, especially when the competitor's name is spelled Street Fighter IV.



G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, X360)
Developer: EA
Publisher: EA
Genre: Action
2/10
Summary: The biggest joy in The Rise of Cobra is laughing at it, well knowing that I didn't pay for it.



Mini Ninjas (PC, PS3, Wii, X360)
Developer: IO Interactive
Publisher: Eidos
Genre: Action
7/10
Summary: A kids friendly ninja clan with a hot temper, is out to save all the animals of the forest and proves once and for all that size does not matter.



Guitar Hero: Greatest Hits (PS3, X360, Wii)
Developer: Beenox
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Music
6/10
Summary: Guitar Hero: Greatest Hits is a decent game with a couple of fun songs. Overall, the tracklist feels unnecessary pale and the weaknesses are too many. Beenox truly has a lot to learn before they can call themselves music-game experts.



Street Fighter IV (PC)
Developer: Capcom/Dimps
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Fighting
9/10
Summary: Well-balanced fighting with the fighingworld's biggest stars including Blanka, Ken and Guile. Now even more hi-res.



Arma II (PC)
Developer: Bohemia
Publisher: 505
Genre: FPS
7/10



TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled (X360)
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Beat 'em up
8/10



Fallout 3: Mothership Zeta (PC, X360)
Developer: Bethesda
Publisher: Bethesda
Genre: FPS/RPG
8/10



Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Multi)
Developer: EA Bright Light
Publisher: EA
Genre: Action
6/10

Issue 67: May/June 2009

UFC 2009: Undisputed (PS3, X360)
Developer: Yukes
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Sports
PLUS: Nice graphics, good presentation, fun career mode
MINUS: Stiff mechanics, unbalanced system, slow pace
6/10 [graphics: 9, sound: 7, gameplay: 5, durability: 5]
Comment: Stiff fighting.



Guitar Hero: Metallica (PS3, X360)
Developer: Neversoft
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Music
PLUS: Cool presentation, sweet sound quality, really good tracklist
MINUS: Really hard, a little too expensive
8/10 [graphics: 8, sound: 9, gameplay: 9, durability: 8]
Comment: Rocking out!



Terminator Salvation (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Grin
Publisher: Warner
Genre: Action
PLUS: Clever two-player mode, intense battles, the Terminator theme
MINUS: Repetitive, unbalanced, short, horrible dialogue, ugly design
5/10 [graphics: 7, sound 4: gameplay: 6, durability: 4]
Comment: Short & frustrating.



Virtua Tennis 2009 (PS3, X360)
Developer: Sumo Digital
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Sports
PLUS: Good-looking player models, nice menus, sweet soundeffects
MINUS: Slow pace, terrible World Tour-mode, boring tournaments
5/10 [graphics: 8, sound: 6, gameplay: 5, durability: 4]
Comment: Slow tennis.



Infamous (PS3)
Developer: Sucker Punch
Publisher: Sony
Genre: Action
PLUS: Really good controls, nice graphics, huge freedom
MINUS: Some graphical misses, repetitive missions
8/10 [graphics: 8, sound: 8, gameplay: 8, durability: 8]
Comment: Superpowers rules.



Bionic Commando (PS3, X360)
Developer: Grin
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Action
PLUS: Fun swinging, nice designed environments
MINUS: Limited possibilities, linear world, frustrating radioactivity
6/10 [graphics: 7, sound: 7, gameplay: 5, durability: 6]
Comment: Bionic disappointment.



Fuel (PC, PS3, X360)
Developer: Asobo Studios
Publisher: Codemasters
Genre: Racing
PLUS: Several vehicle classes, huge tracks, nice map
MINUS: Loose car-physics, hopelessly boring racing, terrible music
5/10 [graphics: 6, sound: 5, gameplay: 5, durability: 5]
Comment: Pale fuel.



Punch-Out (Wii)
Developer: Next Level Games
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Sports
PLUS: Challenging, charming graphics, full of humour, sweet nostalgia
MINUS: Few new fighters, thin multiplayer possibilities
9/10 [graphics: 8, sound: 8, gameplay: 10, durability: 8]
Comment: Punch-drunk love.



The Sims 3 (PC)
Developer: EA
Publisher: EA
Genre: Simulation
PLUS: Lovely humour, agile system, open world
MINUS: Momental circumstantial user-interface
9/10 [graphics: 7, sound: 8, gameplay: 8, durability: 9]
Comment: Fantastic.



Fight Night Round 4 (PS3, X360)
Developer: EA
Publisher: EA
Genre: Sports
PLUS: Cool controls, over 40 boxers, gorgeous graphics
MINUS: Somewhat boring singleplayer-component, repetitive commentators
8/10 [graphics: 8, sound: 6, gameplay: 8, durability: 8]
Comment: King of boxing.