Review of: Super Mario Sunshine

  

Reviewer: Amy Pistone

Title: Super Mario Sunshine

System: Gamecube

Genre: Platformer

 

            Following the highly successful Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine for the Gamecube was a vastly different game, thus it did not get the appreciation it deserved. Many critics and players expected the game to be of the same caliber as Mario 64, and while it very might well be that awesome, because the storyline and gameplay was so different it was often looked at as the black sheep in the family. Rather than just saving the princess, Mario must uncover the truth about the mysterious painter and eliminate the pollution once and for all – wait, this is a Mario game? While some of the new features were strange and different from previous titles, Super Mario Sunshine was an addicting game that is now considered a classic by many.

            The graphics within Super Mario Sunshine are phenomenal, on the same level as the following Galaxy titles. Colors are vivid and used in copious amounts throughout each island. Unlike Mario 64, the lines in Sunshine are smoothed with no sharp edges, granting a sense of realism in much of the scenery. One world, Sirena Beach, has a bright sunset that almost becomes distracting in its beauty, while underwater levels in Noki Bay are just as beautiful in the calm serenity that the watery graphics convey. Also, in contrast to the wide open levels, specific levels create forced gameplay on floating platforms, without the help of Fludd. This does not mean that these graphics are any less lovely, as the platforms are all unique in design and the backdrops are vast and somewhat dreamy, often dotted with stars.

The 3DS: Nintendo Wants All Your Money

Author: Amy Pistone

            The March of 2011 release of the Nintendo 3DS is highly anticipated, as it is supposed to be revolutionary in terms of graphics with the three-dimensional technology utilized within. However, this is coming only 2 years after the release of the Nintendo DSi, which did not meet up to its hype. As consumers, how are we supposed to know that this handheld will actually be worth the money? Is Nintendo placing too much of an emphasis on their line of handhelds?

            The 3DS is supposed to burn a theoretical hole in your pocket – it is supposed to run around 200-250 dollars just for the console. In comparison, a new Wii today costs around 200 dollars, and that is including a bundle with a controller and two games. The high price for the 3DS seems ludicrous because it is, after all, only a handheld. A player has to charge a DS, they have to crane their necks to play, and they can easily lose parts or even the whole DS. A Wii has much higher capabilities than the DS which make the price seem more reasonable – it can have internet, the Virtual Console, and most of all – you can use it on your TV. Overall, it seems that Nintendo has gotten greedy with these consoles, as they know that all the young kids will want one no matter what the price is, and many will get their parents to buy them.

Review of: Assassin's Creed Brotherhood

Reviewer: David Lam

Title: Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood

System: Xbox 360

Genre: Action Adventure

                The Assassin’s Creed franchise is huge and very popular. It has given the fans a well  developed story plot and well done combat system involving free running and parkour techniques. When ever there is a sequel to a franchise we complain about the few years it takes to make it. The time is necessary for the sequel to be actually good yet Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood was released only a year after the second game. That worried many of the gamers who believed that the game would not be at the full potential.

                Fortunately these gamers were not disappointed because Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood  surpassed the previous games with another plot twist and altered combat system.  The addition of a kill streak in the combat system definitely solved the biggest problem gamers had in Assassin’s Creed II. People complained about constantly blocking and waiting for a counter kill when faced with a group of guards. In Brotherhood the kill streak allows you to continue killing after you have countered resulting in very quick deaths for large groups of people. Throughout the whole time you are amazed at the kill and grace you see as Ezio dances around the guards slicing them in any open vital spot. No longer must we complain about not being able to move around with eagle vision. Now you can free run with it on allowing you to follow your target with ease.

CES 2011---as watched on G4

Happy New Year!

Another year has brought another string of conventions down upon our geeky little heads. Since I was unable to jet out to Las Vegas for this year's CES, I decided to do the next best thing....snuggle under some down comforters with a cup of coffee and watch my besties from G4 tell me the news. And boy, did they have some great news to share and show.

First off, where do I get that little SCUBA cleaner for my bathroom? The thought of having little robot slaves doing all my dirty work makes me drool. Just thinking about never having to clean a bathroom floor again is pure ecstasy. Yes, I realize I'll probably get a giant robotic swirly when the bots rise up and dominate, but until then I will be a taskmaster, shouting in my loudest  dictatorial voice " You will clean behind the toilet or face the consequences!". Plus, having a robot house servant will make me feel rich and that's always good.

Review of: Assassin's Creed II

Reviewer: David Lam

Title: Assassin's Creed II

System: PlayStation 3/Xbox 360

Genre: Third-person action-adventure

It is 2012 and you enter a device called the Animus which analyzes your DNA and finds the stored memories of your ancestors inside the DNA. You now clearly see a beautiful city and it is the late 15th century. Your ancestor is Ezio and you are a member of a very notable family in Florence known as the Auditores. It is the renaissance a period where science ,culture, and art flourished. As your ancestor you enjoy your life as an Auditore. You get into fights with the rival family the Pazzi, visit your girlfriend, and have races on the rooftops with your brother. Suddenly you learn that your father and brothers where convicted of treason. Your father was going to expose the corrupt Pazzi family and reveal a huge conspiracy that would tear apart Italy's unity. They are executed and you continue your father's line of a work as an assassin. You escape with your mother and sister and proceed to learn more of the conspiracy and hunt down the men involved. You gain abilities, weapons, allies, and information that will change the way you think of the world in a philosophical way.