Tron: Evolution Video Game Review

Movie tie-ins are notorious for poor visuals, repetitive game play and an overall sense of having been rushed through production, yet this is not the case for Tron: Evolution, which hit stores in late November. Although some aspects of the game, available on both the Xbox 360 and PS3 platforms, do feel a little clumsy and rushed, the overall experience of Tron is certainly a rewarding one and well worth the price tag for movie and action game fans alike.
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Tomb Raider: Legend

Tomb Raider fans have long been waiting for the return of the sexy Lara Croft.  She finally makes her return in the highly anticipated newest edition to the game saga, Tomb Raider:  Legend. 

Some of you may be wondering if this game is worth your time.  Some of the previous Tomb Raider games were not very fun or impressive.  In fact they were down right terrible.  But Tomb Raider:  Legend is absolutely awesome and quite possibly the best in the saga.
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Wrestlemania 21

WWE has an interesting story on the current batch of consoles. For the Gamecube and Playstation 2, games like WWE Day of Reckoning and WWE Smackdown!, respectively, are downright amazing wrestling titles that offer a flurry of features, solid graphics, and a tuned gameplay element. Meanwhile, THQ, the same company that published the aforementioned titles, has had an extremely rough time putting out a quality title for the good old Xbox. Needless to say, both WWE Raw and WWE Raw 2 were both below average titles that could have used a lot of improvement. THQ, looking for a fresh start, decided to go with WWE Wrestlemania 21 as the name for their new game in hopes of starting anew. Can they start a good franchise this time around?
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Half-Life 2

Given the crazy success of the original Half-Life (much of it spurred by its innumerous and even more successful mods which were generated by a hyperactive Half-Life 2 modding community), it was never doubted that eventually a sequel to the popular first-person shooter would make its way onto store shelves.

What makes Half-Life 2 truly special stems from its incredibly gripping storyline. Although we won’t go into details here for risk of spoiling anything (trust me, you don’t want it spoiled!), just know that you will be doing plenty of gun-toting once again as the legendary gaming icon Gordan Freeman. The storyline is by far one of the best to have ever occurred on a FPS and it draws gamers in and never lets them go. Of course, such a great storyline wouldn’t be much without some solid gameplay to back it up. Thankfully, Half-Life 2 has just that.
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Aeon Flux

Movie-based video games are notorious for being bad. Not only do they generally turn out to be poor games, they also tend to be very flamboyant about it and have no shame in advertising how truly poor they are. This is generally due to a few reasons, the first being that the games are almost always unoriginal, basing themselves entirely on an already existing game and simply mixing in the movie’s character into the game, giving it a slightly different look, and setting the story to match the movie. Even worse than mimicking the existing game, they also have the tendency to mimic it very poorly and can be found absent of the essentials that made the other game so good. These factors, combined with poor gameplay fundamentals and dynamics, make for a truly dull game.

Arguably, even worse is the exploitation that occurs of the movie’s license. Bad video games based on a movie really make the movie look bad itself. The licenses are usually poorly implemented and poor representations of their big screen counterparts. All of these things are the results of a rushed product: when the developer tries as quickly as it can to put out the game without actually trying to put any effort in to make the game fun and original.

All of this intro was to introduce you to Aeon Flux, a game that, although not being overly fun or groundbreaking, still manages to use the license well enough and to introduce enough fun, original concepts to actually be a pretty good game. It isn’t amazing by any means, but it is one of the rare movie-based games that looks like it actually tried to make a decent video game.

From the start, gamers will notice Aeon Flux is packed with style. From the graphics to the gameplay, the developers did a good job of trying to match the unique style that was presented by the original TV series. The game looks stylish, and the gameplay, from the combat to the movements, are also very stylish in design. This unique style gives Aeon Flux its own identity in the gaming world.

Keep in mind, however, that Aeon Flux probably isn’t the game for anybody. This is due to some things that could have, and should have, been improved upon. Namely, the controls can tend to be twitchy and unresponsive. Additionally, there is no real targeting system, making combat a pain at times. (combined with a camera that isn’t always welcoming).

Additionally, the game attempts to mimic is TV counterpart entirely in how its structured extremely disorderly. Albeit fun and interesting, the different shows in the series were tied together in so apparent fashion, each new entry into the series was completely unrelated to all of the past entries. The game is the same way, and the story definitely isn’t gripping by any means.

The majority of the gameplay is based around its combat, which on the whole is actually quite fun due to its unique style and gameplay setup. The combat is fast and requires good response times, but it is rewarding to watch all of the different moves that can be executed. Additionally, guns can also be used on top of hand-to-hand combat, and there is quite a good selection of weaponry in the game’s arsenal available to the player.

The other primary gameplay element is the puzzle solving and platformer setup. Although the moves that make up this aspect of the game are pretty good eye candy, they tend to be very simple to execute and don’t require much skill or timing. Despite that, at least they were implemented well and look good.

The animations in the game tend to be pretty fluid and solid, highlighting the game’s good character models. The environments can be a bit sparse and undetailed, but the game moves very quickly so there isn’t much time to sit around and enjoy the scenery anyway. The only real knock on the graphics system comes from its rag-doll physics, which tend to be very poor and unrealistic.

On the whole, Aeon Flux turns out to be a pretty fun, appealing, and original game. It has just enough unique concepts and a unique style that make it different from other games and give it a step up on the usual gaming foray. Indeed, certain aspects of the game should have been given more consideration and care, but the game is still quite good and is an easy recommendation for a rental and possibly even a purchase for gamers who enjoy the game’s setup.

The Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones

If you are a fan of The Prince of Persia saga, you will be pleasantly surprised with the end of the long standing trilogy… The Prince of Persia:  The Two Thrones.  This action game offers a dramatic end with an outstanding climax.  It puts on new spin on previous editions to the saga.

The game starts with the prince returning from the Island of Time to his home in Babylon.  He brings along his lover, Kaileena.  Unfortunately, the prince returns to find the land ravaged by war.  His homeland is against him!  The prince is captured.  Kaileena sacrifices herself to save him by releasing the Sands of Time.  The prince then wanders to change the things that have happened.  He soon learns that past battles have awakened a dark prince who slowly begins to posses him.
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Star Wars Battlefront II

If you love the epic tale of Star Wars then get ready to take part in some of the epic battles from the films in Star Wars Battlefront II.  This is the second installment of the popular action game.

This installment is a bit different than the first of the series.  This is because you can now look at it from the dark side perspective.  You can follow the story of Darth Vadar’s elite 501st legion of stormtroopers, not to mention other stories.  You can see the massive destruction and terror that the dark side caused.  Or, perhaps help out the Rebellion.
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Soul Calibur III

If you are looking for the ultimate fighting game, then get ready for Soul Calibur III.  This is the third in the popular Soul Calibur series.  This new version offers 3 new characters, different play modes, and customizable characters!

The story thus far:  An unholy sword was sealed away by the destined one.  However, a mysterious being revives the azure knight, Nightmare.  Soon, the legendary battle of Soul Calibur and Soul Edge moves to the next stage.  Will you have the sword that prevails over all?
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Splinter Cell

Splinter Cell carries a very unique story. Splinter Cell is loved by gamers worldwide yet hated dearly by fans of other “Stealth” games such as MGS, Splinter Cell games seem to find a perfect blend of action and stealth (and having a kick ass main character, Sam Fisher, doesn’t hurt). After handing over the reigns to another development team for the second game, the original team was hard at work on making a new Splinter Cell game, the third in the series, Chaos Theory. Can Chaos Theory provide all the great moments that previous games have done so well at?
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Quake

Quake. The name alone brings up a countless number of fond memories for gamers worldwide. It is one of the most popular and best selling game franchises of all time. So popular it is, in fact, that there is an entire gaming convention named after it. The effect the Quake series had on gaming, particularly multiplayer gaming, is innumerous. A groundbreaking shooter, Quake created entirely new bounds and expectations in the genre.

Despite all of its accomplishments, the history and tradition of a franchise of games means nothing when looking at the quality of the newest installment. What the predecessors has accomplished doesn’t make a game any better. Having said that, Quake 4 has officially hit shelves and attempts to bring gaming history to the present with a new graphics engine, a new story, and the same old Quake lovin’.
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Peter Jackson’s King Kong

Whether you are a fan of the classic movie or if you just love action games, King Kong is the game for you!  Anyone can appreciate the awe inspiring cinematic-like graphics that are seen in this game.  The game play itself is also hard to compare with anything else.

The story begins with you playing as Jack Driscoll from a first person perspective.  You are on the mysterious Skull Island, trying to survive and escape from horrid beasts of unimaginable size.  You later get to play as King Kong himself from a third person perspective.
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Perfect Dark Zero

Probably the most anticipated launch title of the Xbox 360, Perfect Dark Zero has finally arrived. After the original title became an instant classic on the Nintendo 64, the sequel has seen a rough road indeed. At first, there was speculation that the game would hit the Gamecube since Rare still worked for Nintendo. However, Microsoft made a decisive move and purchased Rare, attempting to bring games such as this to the Xbox. Countless delays ended up pushing the game to the Xbox 360, and ended up making it the premier Xbox 360 launch title.

Despite this rough road to release, Perfect Dark Zero came out as a surprisingly good final product. Many games that see such an incredible amount of delays and problems usually turn out unimpressive, to say the least, but Perfect Dark Zero breaks this trend and ends up being a solid game with good fundamentals.
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The Matrix: Path of Neo

The Matrix games, in a very similar comparison to its movie counterparts, have a rough track record. They tend to be excellent in concept and built on fundamentals and gameplay dynamics that could be absolutely amazing if executed as they should be, but the final products can tend to be a bit disappointing and lacking in certain key areas. The Matrix: Path of Neo, despite not being based directly on any single movie, still manages to capture the essence of The Matrix universe but is missing some things that really should have been included or improved upon.

Readers should know something now: if you’re not a die-hard Matrix fan, you probably won’t even give consideration to this game. Hardcore gamers will find the game to be largely unoriginal and poorly executed, making it a boring experience. However, Matrix fans will appreciate the solid implementation of The Matrix license and will enjoy revisiting The Matrix universe and finally be able to play as the legendary Neo.
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Kameo

The quality of launch titles tends to vary quite immensely. There are always some games which have obviously been rushed in order to meet the deadline to try and feed off the potential sales from the fact there is so little competition in games at the launch, while at other times there are truly quality games that really define what the system will be. Hyped up to be the best set of launch games ever, the Xbox 360 definitely had its work cut out for it to meet such a high declaration. In its launch arsenal it had such games as Project Gotham Racing 3, Perfect Dark Zero, and Kameo: Elements of Power.

Kameo had a knock against it from the start: it was originally meant to be on the Xbox. For this reason, Kameo still carries over certain effects and sequences that were obviously designed for the Xbox and don’t take advantage of what the new Xbox 360 has to offer. A game such as Kameo is more like a next-gen port for a current-gen game, and developers have their work cut out for them to make such a game truly successful. Thankfully, Rare has done just that with Elements of Power.
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Gun

Truly original games can be very rare and hard to come by. These games tend to be the groundbreakers, the games that push the limits and boundaries set by the current batch of run of the mill titles. They expand the genre and raise expectations of gamers everywhere, increasing the competition and quality of the games related to it. Yet, not all original games are this way. Some are just mediocre attempts at trying to be unique and refreshing. Sadly, these games fail in most regards, usually do to a lack of basic fundamentals. Gun for the Xbox 360 is one such game.

Red Dead Revolver, Gun’s closest of kin, was indeed a revolutionary breakthrough in many regards. It offered a unique take on Western gameplay that hadn’t really been attempted before. Even Gun itself for the current-gen consoles, such as the Xbox and Playstation 2, held its own. However, Gun for the Xbox 360 turns up mediocre, and even less, due to sloppy fundamentals and the fact that it is practically the same game as its current-gen counterparts.
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll love the game Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Harry, Ron and Hermione are back at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witches for the fourth year and new challenges are in their future. The game closely follows Rowling’s book without the sticky relationship issues. The game keeps young players involved and presents a series of interesting challenges.

The player’s job is to guide Harry, Ron and Hermione through various locales and situations and to solve puzzles, fight nasty creatures and assist Harry in the Triwizard Tournament, as well as lend him a hand when he faces the evil Voldemort at the game’s climax. This game is a true challenge or all of Harry’s fans worldwide.
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The Fantastic Four

If you’ve seen the movie, “The Fantastic Four,” you will love the game. Slight changes have been made to the classic storyline to bring the game up-to-date for modern audiences, but basically, the story is the same.

Four scientists go into outer space and find themselves in the midst of a radiation storm. When they return to Earth, they find that they have super hero power. They find themselves the center of attention, which is what they want least.
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The Chronicles of Narnia

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a video game based on Disney’s recent film, which in turn is based on the book by C.S. Lewis. It is a fantasy adventure game that will take players into the world of Narnia, where they will solve puzzles and participate in a bit of light combat.

The game follows the film quite closely and players see some footage from the movie when they set up and close each segment of the game. Each level is interesting and presents a series of unique challenges to keep the player’s interest piqued. The game requires some deep thinking to keep players on their toes.
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Far Cry: Instincts

If you are looking for an action game that lets you home in on your primal instincts, then you should give Far Cry:  Instincts a try.  This game features an engaging story with dramatic sequences.

You begin on a boat as the character, Jack Carver.  Jack is thrown off his boat into the ocean.  A hail of bullets is upon him.  He is confused and not sure what is going on.  Jack must swim to a nearby island to seek cover from the bullets.  Seeking shelter in the jungle, he finds a strange organization of soldiers that seem to be up to something.  Rather than become the hunted, Jack decides to become the hunter.
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Dead or Alive 4

If you enjoy beating the tar out of people while following a captivating tale, then get ready for the best of the Dead or Alive series!  Dead or Alive 4 is making its way to the newest console, the XBOX 360.  Dead or Alive is one of the most popular fighting games around.  The fact that the newest version is coming to the famed XBOX 360 console makes it that much more desirable!

The new technology of the XBOX 360 console allows for greater visual effects and a more realistic 3D environment.  Dead or Alive 4 promises to be one of the most visually impressive games of its time.  When you play, you will feel like you are literally in the game!  The graphics are outstanding!  The character models are stunning and the backgrounds are absolutely breathtaking.  XBOX 360 truly makes the game real!
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Combat Elite: WWII Paratroopers

True unique, original games are very hard to come by. Most companies tend to prefer putting out only the tried and proven formulas of games: the sequels, the expansion packs, the content packs, and porting the same game to other systems. For a company to attempt a new concept, that takes some courage indeed. The final results can be incredibly rewarding due to high critical acclaim of the groundbreaking new and refreshing concept, or they can crash and burn. Sadly, Combat Elite: WWII Paratroopers falls into the latter category of such games.

Combat Elite attempted to dive into an area that is rarely touched. Although WW2 games are common, the fact that the game attempted a third-person RPG setup of the game made it truly unique. Essentially, it’s like a Baldur’s Gate except using paratroopers and Germans instead of warlocks and trolls. Such a concept could have indeed been successful if only it had got the fundamentals right. But Combat Elite ends up being too basic and flawed to do the job right.
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Call of Duty 2

Do you like the intense action of realistic war games?  Do you want an overwhelming battle experience?  Do you want bullets to zip past you constantly?  If any of these sounds like something you may be interested in, then you may enjoy Call of Duty 2.

Call of Duty 2 is probably the best and most realistic World War II game inexistence.  Never before has the feeling of defending freedom and becoming a hero felt so real.  This game is the second in the series.  It offers more realistic battles, stunning cinematic-like graphics, intense game play, and more intelligent AI.
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Battlefield 2

Battlefield 1942 was one of the most heralded games of the year. It’s unique blend of vehicle control, solid graphics, addictive gameplay, and massive multiplayer support made it an instant hit. However, the past is the past and it is time to move on. Battlefield 2 has arrived, and it is bringing a whole new set of rules. The prestige of past games means nothing to the present, but Battlefield 2 disregards that as it heads straight into battle armed to the teeth with new features and the same old fun.

While it may not be the game of the year, Battlefield 2 really does embody the original game and does well to highlight its positive aspects while at the same time adding new features and improving on the Battlefield name. Indeed, Battlefield 2 does offer a similar experience that any fans of the series will quickly feel comfortable with due to its similarities however it expands and improves just enough so that it gives gamers a good reason to go out and purchase this great multiplayer game.
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America’s Army: Rise of a Soldier

Games released by the army, needless to say, don’t occur very often. It is even more rare for such a game to actually be decent by today’s standards. America’s Army, released for the PC a couple years ago, was actually more than decent. Hell, it was a damn good game in most respects. However, the game was entirely free and paid for by tax payer dollars, and a paid console counterpart was expected from the beginning. This counterpart has finally hit stores in the form of America’s Army: Rise of a Soldier. Does it live up to its PC brethren?

The very first unique aspect that gamers will notice in America’s Army: Rise of a Soldier is the RPG like elements that have been blended in to this first person shooter. By completing marksmanship training, obstacle courses, and other boot camp style training missions with good scores, players earn valuable skill points that can be used to upgrade your very own soldier. By completing all of the training with high scores, players can make their very own super soldier to control by having high skill efficiencies in such traits as leadership, marksmanship, strength, and honor, with each trait directly effecting different performance attributes of the character.
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50 Cent Bulletproof

We can put it in the books: games based on rappers don’t make the greatest video games. Alright, Def Jam Vendetta was decent, but that’s about it. Sadly, 50 Cent: Bulletproof only reaffirms these facts. It’s not just that the game was designed bad, which it was, considering that it gets almost none of the gaming fundamentals right at all, but the really bad part about the game is how obvious it is that the developers put absolutely no effort into the game what-so-ever.

You see, it’s one thing to at least attempt to try and make a decent game. It’s a whole other obscenity to take a hot product, such as 50 Cent, and take advantage of that product by putting out the absolute worst material based on that product. Given the immense popularity of gang style games with plenty of attitude and the popularity of 50 Cent himself, 50 Cent: Bulletproof could have conceivably been a pretty decent game. In the end, however, 50 Cent: Bulletproof might as well have never have been made.
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