Ratchet: Deadlocked Review

Ratchet: Deadlocked is the fourth game in the popular Ratchet and Clank franchise, released in 2005 exclusively on PS2. In previous Ratchet and Clank games that have been released, the games were all about moving through linear levels, running and gunning, and platforming. Deadlocked isn't quite as linear as the first three games, and there's barely any platforming involved in the game.This is also the first time Clank doesn't return as a playable character. Despite being pretty different from the rest of the games, I still found this game to be very enjoyable. 

First up, we'll deal with the story. The reason we're starting with the story is because the events and plot sets up on the differences this game has. Ratchet, Clank, and Al are captured and taken prisoner and forced to participate in a TV show known as DreadZone. DreadZone is a gladiator-based show where heroes from the Ratchet and Clank universe are held prisoner and attempt to fight for their lives, for money, and for adoration of fans instead of freedom. Everyone is required to wear "DeadLock" collars, which can be detonated if a hero is uncooperative, or boring. Ratchet fights his way through enemies to try to become the number one gladiator. 

Now we get into gameplay. Again, it seems really different than the rest of the Ratchet and Clank games. In the basic levels of the story mode, you are faced with many different enemies, and you kill them all. Once you've killed them all, you try to move on to the next objective, which will most likely be hack a control node, destroying something, or simply getting from point A to point B. Of course, the weapons feature that Ratchet and Clank is famous for is also available in this game. However, instead of recycling the old weapons, you get new names for the weapons that you have (i.e. Dual Vipers for Dual Lacerators). Most of the time, you will also have mechanical partners assisting you in your efforts, but none of them involve Clank. These robots can perform different tasks. If they get killed, they can be revived. They send send out an EMP blast wherever needed. They can turn bolt cranks or hack control nodes. They can also give you a grind rail to slide on.  Also, they are equipped with their own guns, too. Your bots can be upgraded at anytime by visiting Al's shop. Sometimes, you will be required to use different vehicles, such as a basic tank with legs, a hoverbike, a Puma (a basic dirtbike), and a Hovership, a plane-like hovercraft. In addition to your weapons, new to the game is the Weapons Mod system, where you can add mods for function or damage (Alpha and Omega mods). Alpha mods include increasing your rate of fire, or explosion radius. Omega mods include adding napalm to every shot, or send out electricity to shock other enemies. Your weapons can be upgraded just by using them. Your health can be upgraded, too, just by killing enemies. You get gadgets which include the Swingshot and Charge boots. Currency in the game is known as "Bolts," and Bolts can be used to buy other weapons, ammo for your weapons, or Alpha and Omega mods. Deadlocked is noted to have a slightly shorter length in the campaign, and I think they may be right. I was able to beat the game within two days. Something to keep myself occupied, though, is Challenge Mode, where you start the game over with all of your guns and upgrades, and complete the campaign again, only this time the campaign gets a bit harder. A redeeming factor for diehard fans of the series is that it still has a level up system for your weapons and health. It alsol has skill points, which are like achievements in the game. Unlock enough of them, and you can unlock cheats.

The campaign can be played cooperatively, with up to two players. It plays similarly to the single player experience, except you have no combat bots. There is also the multiplayer mode, where you can square off in different modes such as standard Deathmatch, Conquest, Survival, Juggernaut, and Capture the Flag.  Local multiplayer supports up to four players, whilst online (if people are still playing online) supports up to 10 players.

Graphics-wise, I'm impressed. The environments look colorful, the sound is great. The only problem graphics-wise is the frame-rate. Most of the time, the game plays smoothly. However, once you get to the point where huge explosions are as common as the cold, there is a moderate slowdown in the action. But, what would you expect from a Playstation 2 game?

All in all, I particularly enjoyed this game. The campaign was fun, humorous, and it controlled well. This game may disappoint hardcore fans of the Ratchet series, but any fan of third person shooters should definitely consider picking this game up.

The Good: great control, campaign is a good length, looks awesome, funny, amazing weapons.
The Bad: campaign still isn't as long as other Ratchet games, some framerate issues.

Score:
9.3.

Sonic and the Black Knight Review.

     As many Sonic fans know, the swift blue hedgehog has been in a lot of forgettable adventures ever since the turn to the seventh generation of gaming. I can say right now that this game is one of them. Sega has came up with this radical idea of Sonic the Hedgehog running around in the Middle Ages with a talking sword. Not the best idea. What with poor gameplay, a story that really doesn't interest, and repetitive lines and bad actors, this Sonic adventure should be avoided like the plague.

   First up, the story. A sorceress basically summons Sonic in the middle of his chili dog meal. He is assigned to save a kingdom from King Arthur, who has turned evil all because of the sword he possesses, Excalibur's scabbard. On the way, he tackles various quests with the help of his sword, Caliburn, and the blacksmith (played by Tails) and the Lady of the Lake (played by Amy). This is only the beginning of having Sonic characters with different roles. The Knights of the Round Table are played by Knuckles, Shadow, and Blaze. After defeating them, you square off versus King Arthur himself. You later find out that King Arthur was only an illusion, and that the sorceress was actually the enemy you needed to face off. I gave out a pretty big spoiler, but I think you'd be better off with this spoiler in the first place. If you're really that interested, than just look it up on Google. 

     Next up, gameplay. The Sonic games are usually about getting from Point A to Point B as fast as possible, while collecting as many rings as possible. Sega has complete disregarded this gameplay. Instead, you now have a sword, and with this being a Wii game, you already know how to swing a sword. Shake the Wii Remote around. You'll basically be doing this for 75 percent of the regular levels. At the end of levels, you'll be graded based on stars, from 1 to 5. But, they actually expect you to get to the goal fast. With so many enemies popping up on the screen, it's basically a conundrum of getting a good grade. You could attempt jumping over the enemies, only to have another wave at your feet, or you could hack and slash your way through enemies, which will definitely take a lot of time. So, if your goal is to get 4 or 5 stars every level, may heaven help you. The gameplay is also repetitive. It would've been nice to have a little bit more depth into the game, such as if you swung the Wii Remote to the left, Sonic would swing it to the left also. But no, all you will be doing is just shaking the Wii Remote. The boss fights are also repetitive. The game warns that the bosses are challenging to beat, but the style is just like Punch-Out. All it takes is just pattern recognition, and a quick shake of the Remote. 

     Graphics-wise, there's not much to say here. It's a Wii game, so the visuals aren't really that impressive. 

     I'll admit, I didn't beat the game, so I can't really tell you how long the game actually is. But do yourself a favor, and don't buy this game. I recommend playing Secret Rings or Unleashed first. 

     The good: graphics are a bit colorful.

     The bad: Everything else. 

Score:

3.5/10

     

Just Dance 3 Review

     Just Dance 3 is the third installment of the critically acclaimed Just Dance series. Just Dance comes back with an all new soundtrack, new moves, and a new game of fun.

     Gameplay here is very simple. You have dancers on-screen, and you have to mimic their moves as if they were your reflection in the mirror. On the bottom, you will also have little stick figures giving you a vague understanding of what to anticipate. There are also Gold Moves, which, if done correctly, will give you a points boost. At the end of the song, you will be given an accolade, which will tell that you were the most creative, that you were in rhythm, or the most lazy. Using the Wii's motion controls (or the PlayStation Move's or Kinect's), the game will detect how well you are doing the moves. With the Wii and Move, you basically just have to move the remote around the same way they do it, but where's the fun in that? You keep dancing to earn stars, from one to five, and the stars you earn are counted towards your experience in the game, known as Mojo. Anytime you level up, you get a different version of one of the 40+ songs included in this game, such as a Dance Mash-Up. Dance Mash-Ups include virtual dancers from others songs and Just Dance games joining in the song. The game also has a Just Sweat mode, where it has you doing different exercise routines. In addition to the songs already included, you can get downloadable songs that'll cost ya.

     Nothing much to say here. The graphics are pretty appealing, and they still hold true to the Just Dance style. One thing I must say, though, get this game if you know you'll have somebody else to play it with. Otherwise, you might feel that your money is wasted. It would have been nice to see a career mode or campaign of some sort in this game. The other flaw I see in this game is that you could be doing exactly what the dancer is doing, including the footwork, and it would still say that you're not doing it right. But, it could just be me not doing it right. I wish that songs from other games would be in this game, or at least for DLC.

     The verdict of this game? I would say that it's a good game for a party or something. That's about it. But if you do go to a lot of social events, it's not a bad idea to have this game lying around. 

    The good: hit tracks, funky dance moves, awesome multiplayer game.

    The bad: kind of shallow, single player is lame.

    Score:

    8.0