Cleaning up the City In Crackdown!!!

Game: Crackdown
Company: Microsoft
Developer: Realtime Worlds
Number of players: 1-2(co-op)
Platform: Xbox 360
ERSB Rating: M+17
Crackdown Review
 
Premise: You are a super powered agent that was designed to destroy the gangs that terrorize the cities district.
Player: As the player you choose from a large variety in avatar's as to whom you play as in the game. Throughout the game you will conquer different objectives and task throughout which effect your characters skill development which alters your characters appearance much like Fable 2's leveling system.
Challenge: The games challenge is handled by your level. Throughout the game you are tasked with different bosses and supply points that you has to conquer. In the game your given a wide openworld which you must explore in order to find the different bosses and supply points. The main boss that leads each clan is always in a heavily guarded fortress which can be taken in many different ways. Each clan is difficult because you must reach a certain level in your strength, agility, driving, and explosive skills. In each district a different clan owns it which gives you a wide variety in enemies, and vehicles. I found that each district was really hard because my skill level was so low. Every boss has their own officers that have to be taken down in order to increase the percentage of success that you have at taking down a clan’s main base. Each base is different ranging from towering fortresses to everyday malls and gyms.
The Transformation of Time/Engagement: You could easily loose hours in crackdown due to the addicting and clever leveling system along with a large variety in enemies and environments. Every level and district is well made in crackdown making everything have a different feel, especially with the citizens as the react to the environment along with cheer for you as you run by. When your character is maxed out the game opens up to you even more allowing you to jump from rooftop to rooftop and hit cars and citizens hundreds of miles into the air. The game ultimately has no story until the very end which is a satisfying twist, but even in the beginning you feel attached to your character as you see him go from a wimp to a one man army. The different classes and customization were even more engaging as they encourage another playthrough. The games large variety in weapons, characters, and vehicles in the world could give the player an endless amount of replay value along with possibilities as to what can be accomplished.
Characters/information Structure: Beyond your agent the game offers many characters ranging from the main peace keepers (police men), to the more elaborate bosses that inhabit the city districts. The game also features an announcer that gives you Intel on bosses and enemies, but will also send backup when you’re in over your head. The games information structure is handled through the announcer who gives you different information such as how many enemies that is ahead or if Thiers agents nearby that need help. The information is also handled through pressing the (Back Button) which gives you an overview of the map, but also boss location and supply points that are in gang control.
Resources: Your main weapons range from the standard pistol, shotgun, grenades and even more elaborate guns like your harpoon gun. Yet the best weapon by far is your hands.
Authors Note: The game was a lot of fun and the sequel couldn’t come soon enough, but the games lack of narrative was really disappointing and the game wears thin after as day of playing. Overall I would highly recommend it due the the solid character development, and gameplay, but also with the fact that it’s only $12.

Ranking Up in Call of Duty

Title: Modern Warfare 2

Designer: Infinity Ward

Company: Microsoft

Number of players: 1-2(co-op), 1-18 multiplayer

Platform: Xbox 360

ERSB Rating: M+17
Premise: You are apart of an elite team that’s main objective is to bring down a terrorist group that has caused a World War.
Story/Engagement: In Modern Warfare 2 you play as different soldiers that each has their own distinct personalities and viewpoints of the conflict. The games story for the most part picks up right where the last one left off, letting you see different sides of the conflict such as how in one mission your play as a terrorist mowing down civilians in a airport, while in another your player as a soldier pushing the Russians out of America. Overall the campaign takes you through different scenarios and battles that are much more complex than the first Modern Warfare. Each scenario from the campaign is different from the last, due to the increased action and well crafted level design. Other parts of the story can be found in the multiplayer mode called spec-op which allows up to two friends to play through a large variety of levels that tie into the story. The game is engaging thanks to the large variety in missions and characters along with the fantastic scenarios, especially the scenario where you’re fighting through American suburbs. Throughout the course of the game each character gives you different weapons and tactics allowing you to grow attached to each viewpoint. Many of the scenes throughout the game show you realistic combat and situations that the world is stuck in today, this is engaging because if gives the game a more realistic tone along with giving the main story a different feel.
Characters/Transformation of Time: The games story lets you see different sides of the conflict, such as how in one mission your play as a terrorist mowing down civilians in a airport, while in another you’re a special-ops agent who’s hunting down a terrorist leader. Each character has a different viewpoint along with back stories that grow more fascinating as the game goes on. Thanks to the improvements to the single player and the multiplayer the game is much improved and will be in your console for months. Due to the fantastic story and excellent multiplayer you could easily spend weeks if not months ranking up in the multiplayer, killing terrorist in the campaign, or surviving a onslaught in special-ops.
Challenge/Resources: The games challenge is handled through the difficulty bar and pacing. Throughout the campaign the game will progressively get better due to the increased amount of enemies and more sophisticated guns. Guns include the Assault rifles, sub machine guns, light machine guns, sniper rifles, pistols, and shotguns. All of these weapons are fully upgradeable and can be used in both the single-player and multiplayer modes.
Authors Note: The game is excellent and was well worth the long wait. The single player was breathtaking and multiplayer will keep me playing for months on end. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the series or shooters. The games pacing is excellent and the improvements are much appreciated. If I could give out a score it would be a perfect 10/10.

Fighting off Splicers in Rapture!!!!!

Title: Bioshock

Designer: 2K Games

Company: Microsoft

Number of players: 1

Platform: Xbox 360

ERSB Rating: M+17

Genre: First Person Shooter

Bioshock Video Review

Premise: You have been in a plane crash and you are the only survivor. You find a underwater city called "Rapture" which is full of lunatics and mutants. Soon you are befriended by a fellow survivor and forced to unfold the horrors of the once utopia, along with make your way out of the city.
Player:
Challenge: The game gets more challenging based on how strong your character is. If your character is weak then you are in for a much harder and more frustrating experience. If you characters is maxed out and has all the weapons than you are in for a evened out experience. Each part of the campaign can get harder based on where you encounter your Big Daddy's or how many splicers are in the area. "Rapture" is a living breathing city where the inhabitants will wonder about searching for you even after you wiped out their comrades.
The Transformation of Time: In Bioshock you are immersed into a world like no other, due to the breathtaking visual and art design, along with the decisions that you must make in order to make your way thought the game. The main campaign could range from ten to twenty hours based on the skill of the player. Each part of the game can be explored and revisited giving the player a new layout of the levels and enemies rather than just repopulating them with the same ones. The game could also be classified as open world as each space of "Rapture" is open to go to and explore based on the part that you are at in the main mission. With a engaging story, upgradable characters and weapons, Bioshock could easily take hours to get to through, along with the curiosity to do it all again.
Engagement: In the game you are immersed in a world where things are completely different and unique, where anything is possible and is ruled by a mad man. Throughout the game you are given little details to your origins along with the overall plot that circles what made rapture such a utopia. The plot unfolds at a excellent pace and brings the players into a world of power and question. The games themes are clear and really touch on the issues in the world today, such as anorexia, and the stereotypes that we have in our culture.
Characters/Player: : In the game you play as a unnamed character who survives a terrible plane crash resulting in him being the only survivor. Throughout the game you are given different upgrades such as plasmids which help your character become more powerful and make the game much more enjoyable. In the game you face enemies called "Splicers" (these are basically the inhabitants of rapture that have gone mad) who are led by a man named "Andrew Ryan". In the game you are given a large amount of choice as far as how the ending will result and how each encounter will vary. At certain points in the game you face boss like characters called "Big Daddys" that protect another character called "Little Sisters". Both of these characters are a big part of the story because in order to upgrade your powers you need "Adam" which can only be found within a little sister. After a Big Daddy fight you are given a choice of either saving the little sister and getting little Adam or harvesting the little sister and getting tons of Adam. This part in the game is the most fascinating because you really feel like the character as you save a little girl or devour her soul. The games battles from the usual splicers to the more tough and more intense battles with the big daddy. Each character in the game has their own unique story which is told through many audio logs that can be found throughout. Each encounter feels meaning full and each objective is made clear by your friend guiding you the whole way.
Information Structure/Clear Goals and Feedback:  The information structure is given through a microphone which allows you to get information and objectives from different characters in the game. In each part of the game you meet new characters who give you new ideas, tips, and objectives that must be done in order to advance throughout the whole game. With this system you are never far from where your objective is along with a arrow key that shows up when you are near your objectivel. When you finish a mission you gain money or Adam which can lead to you upgrading your weapon, buying new powers, or even some vodka to ease the pain.