Attempting to breathe new life into shoot-‘em-ups, Sine Mora, co-developed by Grasshopper Manufacture and Digital Reality, blends old-school gameplay with some mechanics never before seen in the genre. Although it might not be enough to entice those unfamiliar with the genre, Sine Mora has plenty to offer those who already have plenty of experience. READ MORE
Asura’s Wrath is a game unlike any other. Ever since it was first revealed, it has been compared to games like Dragon’s Lair and Heavy Rain, offering an experience full of cutscenes and quick time events. You might be surprised to learn that there is more of a traditional action game here, but a lot of what makes it entertaining is not entirely present in the gameplay itself. READ MORE
Ever since those crazy Rabbids took over, the Rayman series has been pushed to the side as if it never mattered in the first place. With Rayman Origins, the limbless hero returns with his first 2D outing since the original Rayman back in 1995. Many of the elements that made that game stand out back then apply here: it’s whimsical, addictive, and very French. And trust me, that’s a very good thing. READ MORE
After months of anticipation, the third game in the Mass Effect trilogy is finally here. BioWare has successfully crafted this original universe in two widely-popular games, so there is a lot riding on Mass Effect 3 to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the science fiction trilogy. Due to the nature of the Mass Effect story and because of how much your choices matter, expectations are high. The end result is an experience unlike any other: a game that doesn’t always succeed, but manages to exceed those expectations when it matters most. READ MORE
The story of Katamari Damacy is one of the most surprising successes in Namco’s history. A budget import title becomes a cult hit and leads to nine sequels and spin-offs, including the Vita launch title Touch My Katamari. There hasn’t been much evolution in this beloved franchise, but Touch My Katamari makes a strong debut on Sony’s new handheld, proving that the series has a lot of life left. READ MORE
Writers Andrew Passafiume and Graham Russell tend to be on opposite sides of the debate when talking about handheld games: Andrew would usually rather be playing on a big screen, and Graham likes that lower system specs makes devs focus on gameplay. In this two-part feature, the two get together and make their picks of the games that best and least fit on a portable.
Pokemon Red and Blue Versions
Graham: What made the Pokemon games special was the idea that you built up these teams, carried them around and obsessed over them and then took on friends. Later games (and later tech) allowed for online play and profile porting, but even then, that’s not the same experience.
Andrew: The Pokemon series always felt like it was just perfect for handhelds. It was all about the ability to take your team wherever you wanted and trading with friends, like you said, so I completely agree. READ MORE
One of the first downloadable titles available for the PlayStation Vita, Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack is a 2D puzzle platformer and a follow-up to last year’s Tales From Space: About a Blob. This title focuses on a lot of the same basic gameplay found in that original title, but it also utilizes some of the Vita’s features in an engaging way. READ MORE
Lumines has been away from handhelds for a while, appearing in two console-exclusive titles, but both failed to re-capture what made the original game so incredible back during the PSP’s launch in 2004. And here we are, eight years later, with Lumines: Electronic Symphony, proving that this franchise feels right at home on a handheld. READ MORE
After remaining dormant for a few years, Twisted Metal makes its debut on the PS3 and it brings the full force of the late ’90s with it. The original Twisted Metal games combined completely chaotic car combat with a story and presentation that represented that era in video games rather well. With series creator David Jaffe back at the helm, Twisted Metal looks to reclaim that once-staggering level of popularity in a genre that has remained absolutely stagnant for the past five years. READ MORE
Video game franchises come and go all of the time. To think, just three years ago the Guitar Hero brand was one of the biggest in the industry. In five years, even Call of Duty may not be as prominent as it used to be. We all expect the Marios and the Final Fantasys of the world to be around as long as video games are, but what about those franchises that don’t make it? It’s always nice to see them return, but is it always for the best? READ MORE
