Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Zany Video Games From Insomniac Games

By Victor Epand

On the market today there is now available some crazy and zany video games that can enhance the video gaming experience for gamers. These incredible video games have the ability to cause the villains within a video game to begin dancing to disco music.

The most bizarre of these newly bizarre video games are produced by Insomniac Games, who also produced the Ratchet And Clank Future - Tools Of Destruction video game. Within this video game was the introduction of the Transformer that had the ability to turn enemies into tiny, little penguins and the Gelanator that could trap its enemies in ice cubes that were made of lime gelatin. Their whimsical look on video games has enabled the majority of their video games to become top titles on the bestseller charts by the gaming industry.

The magical and advanced technology that is used in creating special effects in many movies are the same ones that are used to create the realistic graphics and life like animation within many video games produced by Insomniac Games. Insomniac Games is one of the few independent video game developers that are still battle for their place among the big league names of Activision and Electronic Arts Incorporated. Already two top independent video game developers, Pandemic Studios and BioWare Corporation, have sold out to Electronic Arts Incorporated.

Insomniac Games is a company that has reserved the rights to keep to their roots as a goofy and informal company that can focus on creativity and fun. This company was founded in 1994 and has been going strong ever since they released their very first video game demo entitled, Disruptor. However, it only sold close to two hundred thousand copies, which is not great, but for a first time video game it is not too shabby either.

The second video game that they released was Spyro the Dragon, which featured a friendly purple dragon and it was a runaway hit. This video game was so incredible that between 1998 and 2000 there were three more video games created that were based on the Dragon Spyro. The sales of these video games reached close to twelve million copies actually being sold.

Then in 2002, they created Ratchet And Clank, which was about a furry yellow creature and his robot sidekick. This video game was such a huge hit that it sold more than twelve million copies. The major video game they released was a more mature type of video game known as, Resistance - Fall Of Man. This video game became one of the best selling video games for Sony and its Playstation 3 video game system.

Insomniac Games develops video games for only Sony, and since the Playstation 3 video gaming system has fallen way behind the sales of the Wii and Xbox-360 they have truly been affected. However, they are not considering selling out to the larger video game developing companies. In fact, they will consider developing video games for other video game system manufactures first.

They have created such fabulous video games as Spyro the Dragon in 1998, Spyro 2 - Ripto's Rage in 1999, Spryo - Year of the Dragon in 2000, Ratchet & Clank in 2002, Ratchet & Clank - Going Commando in 2003, Ratchet & Clank - Up Your Arsenal in 2004, Ratchet Deadlocked in 2005, Ratchet & Clank Future - Tools of Destruction in 2006, and Resistance - Fall of Man in 2007.


Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, dolls, and video games. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, dolls, and used video games at these sites for kids toys, dolls.

Views on a Few Video Games on the Market Today

By Victor Epand

These are some really amazing video games that are available on the market today that gamers are sure to enjoy and are available for the majority of the top video gaming systems. Video game developers are coming up with some really fantastic video games that gamers may want to check out.

Barrel Blast was created for the Wii video gaming system and unfortunately it has its ups and downs. This video game is truly terrifying in what you are expected to do in making your cute flying character race, which means that the Wii controller must be shook up and down extremely violently. This is not a video game that gamers will want to play for a long period of time, because it can get physically painful after a while. The video game has three tracks and limited game modes, but it would be perfect for the child with way too much energy because they would definitely grow tired after a while.

Cooking Mama Cook Off is another video game developed for the Wii video gaming system. This game offers gamers real life cooking tips and is great for gamers of all ages. Gamers will definitely feel like they are Rachel Ray or Gordon Ramsey when they are really peeling potatoes and chopping up onions, but with out the tears.

The best thing that can be said about the button mashing action video game Heavenly Sword is that it has well acted and rendered cut screens that move the finely crafted story line along. The characters within these mini movies are incredibly lifelike in that gamers will almost believe they have their own souls. The in-game action is sort of repetitive and even at times a bit frustrating. The main character, Nariko, can swing her mighty sword only in so many ways against the never ending supply of generic enemies.

Lair has to be the worst video game of 2007 simply because it is so unplayable. Although there were a ton of developers that worked really hard on the story line and the technology this was all completely undone by some really poorly executed controls. Steering the giant dragon is sort of like trying to herd a dozen kittens into a box and getting them to stay due to the impossible to control controls.

Mass Effect is not the kind of video game you pick up and play for just a little while, then go on to something else. It is more like a truly long sci-fi mystery novel where there is action at the turn of every page. This video game might be complicated and intense, but it is perfect for the gamer that has a large amount of time to invest in solving the countless mysteries of the confusingly named species in the galaxies of the future.

Not too many role playing video games get more immersed and as hard to follow as Mass Effect, which is due to it being stocked full of choices for the gamer and plots. Gamers are able to create their own version of Commander Shepard and live their life as the leader of a squad of interspecies soldiers who are out to save humanity. If you are a gamer that enjoys this type of video game, then you will definitely have a hard time finding a better experience than this video game.


Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, dolls, and video games. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, dolls, and used video games at these sites for kids toys, dolls.

Video Games Get the Final Votes

By Victor Epand

Have you ever thought to yourself what makes a good video game? Strong visuals and good controls are essential as well as well crafted concepts. Great video games have feeling, surprise, emotion, interaction, and even addiction and the final votes are for the year are in.

When video games offer all these elements gamers know the sure enjoyment of being able to turn on their video gaming system and instantly becoming involved in one of the best video games on the market. Great video games can cause gamers to want to stay up all night no matter if they have to go to school or work the next morning. Being able to play a great video game forces gamers to experience a new way to push your reflexes and brain harder and faster. Great video games allow gamers to become a galactic warrior, fight aliens, villains, undersea explorers, or even be the hero.

Video games from last year have been voted on and the results for best video game of the year are in. The video games that has been voted best video games of the year are BioShock, Call of Duty 4 - Modern Warfare, Assassin's Creed, Super Mario Galaxy, and Orange Box. BioShock is an adventure video game that becomes a complete experience for gamers. Gamers become immersed in the action of this video game where the environments are remarkable and the game play begins to invade your mind.

BioShock has the ability to make gamers feel like that are actually wandering through the 1960s era of a undersea utopia that is populated by a crazed zombie and crazy girls that go around carrying chemicals that will help enhance your biological superpowers. This video game goes right down to the detail with props and costumes from the 1960s period, which make such a realistic experience for gamers. The story and concept are incredible and the within the video game there are many rooms to explore, not to mention all the creepy elements that make this video game part sci-fi novel and part horror film. This video game has been rated M for mature.

Another great video game is Call of Duty 4 - Modern Warfare, which is a combination of edge of your seat warfare along with a great story line and even better visual effects. This version of Call Of Duty has been reinvented into a more modern conflict and is a perfect blend of action and realism of visual affects that are unbelievable. This video game has a well-crafted story line that is full of unexpected surprises that is sure to keep gamers pleased for hours of fun. This video game has been rated M for mature.

Assassin's Creed is another stunning video game that has naturally fluid control capabilities and incredible missions that are set within the Middle Ages. The main character in this video game has free-run abilities that are the best of any video game this year. This video game has been rated M for mature. The Mario Brothers are back with Super Mario Galaxy. In this new video game Mario soars from planet to planet within a colorful masterpiece where controls are easily handled. This video game is a combination of puzzles and action. This video game has been rated E for everyone.

The Orange Box is a combination of five amazing video games in one and has become one of the best values in video games of the year. This video game consists of a brain busting game called Portal and a multi-player game called Team Fortress 2 that is fun and stylish. It also includes the intense story of Half Life 2 that is filled with action. This is an incredible video game that has some thing for every one and is rated teen to mature.


Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, dolls, and video games. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, dolls, and used video games at these sites for kids toys, dolls.

A Variety of Video Games on the Market For Everyone

By Victor Epand

Video games and video gaming systems have become extremely popular with children and adults alike and on the market today there are some really incredible video games that gamers of every age are sure to enjoy playing.

One video game that gamers are sure to love is Ace Combat 6 - Fires of Liberation. This video game is a based flight simulator where the gamer has the ability to soar through the skies that look real and exciting. This video game comes bundled with an optional flight stick that gets pretty close to matching the controls of an actual fighter jet. Although the price of this video game might be quite steep, flight enthusiasts will appreciate the realism offered by the Ace Edge sticks.

Ace Combat 6 is like three video games in one and although the story line is very well written, even though it is poorly translated. The video game is about an invasion of a mild-mannered country by its disadvantaged neighbors and gives gamers the ability to take to the skies in an effort to defend their country in an aerial combat. After all the individual missions are completed the gamer will find that they have unlocked the free flight mode, which offers gamers the ability to soar across richly detailed countrysides or to weave in and out of the buildings and bridges within the city.

Another video game that gamers may enjoy is Kane And Lynch Dead Men, which has to be one of the best crime drama video games that has ever been written. The gun battles within this video game are much more intense than any bank robbery in ancient western movies and the visuals are as detailed and realistic as the gamer has ever seen. The only problem with this video game is that it is incredibly bulky and has been known to freeze right in the middle of action. The main character can at times pass right through their dead enemies as if they are not there and the controls are clunky and hard to become comfortable with

Now gamers have the ability to transform their living room into the set of a game show by simply connecting up to four controllers into their favorite video gaming system console and playing the Hollywood Quiz. This video game is a terrific mixture of movie trivia from the classic movies to the most recent. The gamer selects a video avatar from a catalog of quirky and fun choices then they will compete head to head to see how much they know.

Gamers can set a second set of Buzz controllers so that up to eight people can play all at once, which is perfect for parties that are in need for a little competitive activity. For younger gamers there is the Junior Robo Jam that offers an excitingly fun collection of twenty-four mini games that uses the same controllers and will test their reflexes. The robot characters of Robo Jam are truly cute and these games are not as tough as the regular version.


Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, dolls, and video games. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, dolls, and used video games at these sites for kids toys, dolls.

Company of Heroes - Best World War Two Real-Time Strategy

By Scott J Meyer

There are literally dozens, if not hundreds, of World War Two games out there. So when I say that there is another WWII Real-Time Strategy game out, you may be turned off instantly. But, Company of Heroes is certainly no typical WWII RTS. Taking place in Normandy soon after D-Day, Company of Heroes puts you in command of Able Company in the fight against Germany. Coupled with an expansion, Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts , you can also take control of the British 2nd Army or German Panzer Elite. The Gold Edition grabs you both for one price. The game combines constant action, wonderful graphics, and unbelievable historical accuracy which makes it one of the best in its class.

If you loved the movie Saving Private Ryan , and thought Call of Duty was a great first-person shooter companion, then imagine the idea transformed into the Real-Time Strategy genre. Enter Company of Heroes: Gold . You take charge of a company of troops, tanks, and emplacements in order to defeat your enemy. Gathering resources (manpower, ammo, and fuel) involves capturing strategic points throughout the battlefield. Each faction is highly unique, and offers three different company commander options to further increase diversity. Each company commander allows you to "research" upgrades for your troops, as well as specialized units and artillery and air support. Starting with a Headquarters, which produce construction units, you can build several different structures (or, in the case of the British, different Command Trucks) which open up new technologies and units for production. Each unit is displayed extremely realistically, with army specific weapons and weapon upgrades. Infantry squads are controlled as a single unit, and are very intelligent AI-wise. They use cover to avoid fire, and without cover are suppressed and pinned by heavy fire. Engineers allow construction of field defenses like sandbags, barbed wire, trenches, and machine gun posts. Tanks are armored behemoths, towering over infantry with massive firepower, but with armor depicted realistically, are vulnerable to rear attacks. Soon, you will find yourself unconsciously flanking enemy machine guns with infantry and anti-tank emplacements with armor to get a better shot.

With a heavy-duty gaming computer, visuals are beautiful. Bullets kick up dirt, tanks can bounce enemy rounds with their frontal armor, and artillery looks frightfully devastating. By zooming in on units, you can easily make out individual weapons and markings on vehicles. Also, the entire map is destructible. If you order artillery on enemy infantry hidden in houses, each shell that hits will knock off the part of the building it hits, eventually leveling the structure. Tanks turning on city streets will occasionally knock off the corners of nearby buildings, and walls are no barrier. With each distinct explosion leaving a mark on the landscape, it really looks as though a war has been fought.

Company of Heroes: Gold Edition delivers three separate campaigns, each with a very respectable length. You can lead Able Company, US Army from D-Day until the closing of the Falaise Gap. Choosing the British 2nd Army gives you command of the very distinct British forces in the drive on Caen. Finally, the Panzer Elite campaign places you in command of German forces trying to stop the Operation Market Garden airborne invasions. When done with the campaigns (which will take many hours to complete), there are several dozen instant-action maps to choose from. If you choose online play, there is a very active community. Another faction, the regular German Army, is available in instant-action and multiplayer games, with its own units and company command trees. My only personal grief was multiplayer connection problems, which are not isolated, but not common either.

Company of Heroes is probably the best WWII Real-Time Strategy game available. Between building your base, capturing points, and making decisions in combat (tactical decisions are very important as opposed to most RTS's), even vet players will have their hands full. With such wonderful graphics and realistic gameplay, it can be difficult to stop playing. Such diversity, with four armies and three company commanders each, along with many varied maps and missions, make Company of Heroes: Gold Edition an excellent addition to the genre, and proves that all WWII games are not created equal.


Scott is a student and avid strategy gamer. Please support him by visiting his blog http://greatstrategygames.blogspot.com/ for more reviews, info, and screenshots.

Dance Dance Revolution to Promote Active Living and Fight Obesity

By Kisu Kuroneko

I'm thinking about bringing Dance Dance Revolution into my Intermediate classroom.

Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) is a video game by Konami that was released in the arcades of Japan in 1998 and is now available across several home entertainment systems, including Playstation, Wii, and Xbox.

Players stand on a dance platform with arrows pointing up, down, left, and right. By listening to the music and watching a computer screen, players need to tap the corresponding arrows on the beat.

There are different levels of difficulty, so game play can range from simple to challenging. On the Nintendo Wii, Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party includes the use of the wii remote. Up to 4 players have to move both their hands and feet to the beat.

Overall, DDR is a high-interest, low-skill activity that appeals to the video-game generation, and as a teacher who continually looks for innovative ways to achieve curriculum expectations through technology, DDR is in my sights.

In April 2007, the NY Times reported on how some Physical Education classes are using Dance Dance Revolution to get Grade 7 students moving.

* A projected 1,500 schools in West Virgina are expected to be using the game by the end of the decade.

* "At least 10 states" in the US are using DDR as a "regular part of their physical education curriculum" to fight obesity.

* DDR appeals to school boards and educators as a non-competitive form of movement (compared to traditional sports.)

You could use DDR as an extra-curriculuar club, to meet daily physical activity (DPA) requirements, or as part of a phys-ed program.

* Most students will be watching the screen and practicing moving to the beat while they wait for their turn on the mats.

* Depending on how much you're willing to spend, you could have up to 4 people actually playing on the videogame system.

* You can set the difficulty level for each player independently, which means that an expert and a beginner could be playing at the same time.


If you're ready to start a classroom blog, we're here to help at http://blog.classroomteacher.ca where you'll find this information and more detailed information about how to use Dance Dance Revolution in the classroom.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

The Top 5 Best Selling Nintendo Wii Games For October 2008

By Robert McEwan

1 - FIFA 09 - Published by EA Sports

  • Polished, Refined Game play: Featuring 250 additions and enhancements to core game play, including new animation technology that creates more responsive first-time shooting and passing, faster and more controlled dribbling, and improved trapping, and new player momentum physics that delivers realistic player collisions, authentic jostling for the ball, and more variation in tackling.
  • Custom Team Tactics: Become a first-team coach with the power to tune and balance 11 tactical sliders for 140 attacking and 40 defending options (more than 50,000 combinations) so CPU players and your team perform just like the real-world team or how you think the real team should play. Save your tactics to make strategic decisions to exploit your opponent's weaknesses during the game. Plus, share your strategies with friends online.
  • Be A Pro - Seasons: Pick or create a professional player and test your football ability over a four season campaign. Master a single position and develop your skills - passing, shooting, positioning, marking - to ultimately become a national legend.
  • Improved Goalkeeper Intelligence: Goalkeepers position themselves more intelligently, react to shots more realistically and recover from saves faster.
  • Customised Controllers: Create your own bespoke controller configuration, save it and even take it online effortlessly. Assign actions to the buttons exactly how you like them for complete control.

2 - Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 "All Play" -Published by EA Sports

  • EA SPORTS All-Play - All new swing type allows gamers of all levels to play together taking the guesswork out of setting shots and showing gamers exactly where their ball will end up before every shot
  • Wii Exclusive Golf Party Mode - Battle your family and friends in up to 15 fun and challenging mini-games including ball juggling, range cart showdown, shooting gallery and speed golf, that keep the competition fierce long after you finish your round
  • New Online Mode - All-new 4-Player Online Simultaneous Play allows you to compete in a four person round in the same time it takes to play single player. No more waiting for your buddies to hit their shot. You will see ball trails from each of your playing partners as the foursome plays the hole at the same time
  • Performance Coach – The TOUR pros have their coaches and now you do too. Tiger Woods' real life coach Hank Haney will guide you through your career right from the start and help you improve your confidence. Haney is constantly watching your performance and assessing areas for improvement. When you're having trouble he'll provide you training events to help increase your confidence
  • Tune Your Clubs to Maximize Your Swing – With the all new Club Tuner you'll be able to tune your wedges, irons, woods and driver to customize your bag and get the most out of every club. But strategy will come into play as you must weigh the risks of club performance versus ease of use. So tune wisely!
  • New Courses and Golfers — New challenges await with exotic new locations including Gary Player Country Club in South Africa, Wentworth Country Club in England and more. International stars join the action in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09 with Se Ri Pak, Darren Clarke, Nick Dougherty and Rory McIlroy challenging you as you make your way through your career.

3 - Mario Kart - Published by SEGA

  • The Wii Wheel transforms the Wii Remote; controller into a steering wheel that feels natural in anyone's hands, while the Wii Remote and Nunchuk; controller offer a classic control style for the Mario Kart veteran. In either configuration, players can perform speed-boosting tricks with a shake of the Wii Remote.
  • Players can race as their favourite Nintendo character, or even as themselves! Mario Kart Wii lets players race with their personalized Mii; characters. And racers will see other Mii characters they have created cheering from the sidelines on some race courses.
  • Players can compete with up to three friends in their living room. Or challenge up to 11 opponents via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in the biggest Mario Kart race yet. All tracks and modes of play are available via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, and players can visit the Mario Kart Channel to compete in tournaments, check rankings, see when their friends are playing and download ghost data.
  • Cruise new tracks and arenas or tour classic courses from Super Mario Kart;, Mario Kart; 64, Mario Kart;: Super Circuit;, Mario Kart;: Double Dash!!; and Mario Kart; DS. Tired of riding on four wheels? Bust out one of the new motorbikes for special tricks and techniques.

4 - Star Wars : The Force Unleashed - Published by LucasArts

  • Confront and associate with familiar faces from the Star Wars films, including Darth Vader in addition to new adversaries such as fugitive Jedi and Force-sensitive Felucians
  • Unleash and upgrade the Secret Apprentice's four core Force powers - Force push, grip, repulse and lightning - throughout the course of the game, and combine them for ultra-destructive, never-before-seen combos.
  • Examples of unleashing the Force in ways never thought possible: Secret Apprentice won't just Force push enemies into walls - he'll Force push enemies through walls, and will Force grip them in midair, zap them with lightning, then drop them to the ground
  • Visit locations such as Episode III's Wookiee homeworld Kashyyyk and the floral Felucia, the junk planet Raxus Prime, plus an Imperial TIE fighter construction facility
  • Decisions made by players throughout the game will determine the path of the story, including multiple endings that will rock Star Wars continuity as they know it.

5 - Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games - Published by SEGA

  • Compete in stylised Olympic venues with authentic sports and events to choose from, including athletics, archery, skeet shooting, table tennis, gymnastics and more.
  • Select your favourite playing style from the all-star cast of Mario and Sonic characters with four player types to choose from: all-around, technical, speed, and power. For example: Mario (all-around), Peach (technical), Yoshi (speed), Bowser (power), Sonic (speed), Knuckles (power), Tails (technical), Amy (all-around).
  • Game Modes: Try out each event individually with Single Match mode, compete for the highest overall score in a series of events in Circuit Mode, or take on challenges created specifically for each character in the Mission Mode. Up to four players can play together on the Wii. DS allows up to four players to compete via wireless connection.
  • Unlockable stages where familiar items from the worlds of Mario and Sonic enhance the challenge of each unique event.


Robert McEwan is a games & entertainment journalist who specialises in writing reports and reviews relating to the DVD, gaming and entertainment industry in the United States and Europe.

For access to a large selection of Nintendo Wii games downloads and resources please visit :

http://www.electrostrike.info/wii-downloads.htm

Thursday, October 9, 2008

A Candid Review of Runescape

By Lance Tayshaun

For those of you who never heard of the game called Runescape, I'm going to tell you about it. You probably seen this game if you visit the local library, because you got pre-teens populating your library playing this game everyday.

This popular game is a massive, multiplayer online role-playing game (Wow, isn't that a mouth full?)

What sets this game different from other generic RPG games ... it's online and it's free!

Runescape started back in the year 2000 by some kid who lived in his parent's basement or something and how it grow to a multi-million dollar company because he charges money to play the game (don't worry, you can still a get free Runescape account, it's just that the quest is more limited)

So what do you do in this game?

Basically you pick a character from the game. It's your avatar.

You can customize how he looks like. You walk around in this virtual world and you can do whatever the heck you want.

For example, you could slay monsters. If you're lazy you could do some cooking. If you're inclined, you could also build your own house. And finally, you could go fishing (strangely enough)

What's the best part of this game? That it's free!

Unlike other games such as World of Warcraft (I am not hating on World of Warcraft, don't worry)

Another thing I should mention...

The graphics for this game is free decent considering its run on your web browser with no special plugin except Java. (Most computers could handle this game, even if it's 5 years old)


If you like games that are like Runescape, go to Go to http://runescapelikegames.info or alternatively, Runescape like games.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Best PlayStation 3 Games For Christmas

By Zak Mann

This holiday season will bring some exciting new titles for gamers. The hardest part is deciding what new games to ask for. So what are the best PlayStation 3 Games for Christmas? Read on to find out.

There's something for everyone in this season's line-up. If you go for racing, you'll love "Motorstorm: Pacific Rift". Using every possible vehicle from monster trucks, to motorcycles, to quads, and more, racing is on in mud, through trees, around lava, and well, you get the idea. Lots of different tracks and terrain promise high interest whether in single player or multi-player mode.

For total involvement in the first person, "Mirror's Edge" is the best of the season. You have to deliver courier packages to certain destinations, all the while trying to navigate dangerous environments. Every action is done in the first person, not you tailing behind your character with the controller. It's so vivid that you feel like you are doing the running, rolling, and climbing.

For family fun, try "LittleBigPlanet". The object of the game is for you and up to three friends, to try to manipulate the world in an attempt to get across it using level creation tools. The beauty of this unique game is that it allows gamers to try their hand at game creation. It promises to be a big part of the PS3 line-up in the future.

Finally for those who love scary games, there's "Dead Space". It's already being talked about as one of the scariest, skin-crawling survival horror games of all-time. Shoot the limbs off alien monsters before they mutate into something even more sinister, as you explore space.

This is only a few of the best PlayStation 3 games for Christmas. There are some amazing sequels and lots more first person games to immerse yourself in too.


Article by Zak Mann. Zak is the owner of http://www.videogameconsoles.ca and an avid video game enthusiast.

Xbox 360 - Castle Crashers Review

By Jarrod Ploof

In my career as a gamer I've become slightly embarrassed when I think of the sheer number of princesses I've saved. It has become an exercise in futility as the virtual conga line of evil wizards, slack-jawed giants, and demons of the dark abyss come traipsing across my screen with their diabolical plans that include kidnapping heiresses to the throne, ruling the universe, and occupying my free time.

Sadly, as we enter a millennium filled with convoluted, thumb-busting controls and eye-popping three-dimensional graphics, the simpler games of yesteryear fall by the wayside and are left to rot in the dusty attic known as nostalgia. Then I think to myself in an inquisitive yet playful tone, What if someone could create a game that utilized the power of the next-generation to re-invent a beloved genre of the past? Then, being a consummate video game professional, I answer, The Behemoth did just that with their side-scrolling, beat 'em up laugh-fest, 'Castle Crashers' for Xbox Live Arcade.

Castle Crashers is a light-hearted look at damsels in distress and the heroes who love them. As the game begins, you'll choose your protagonist and head into the fray where you'll hack, slash, shoot, dismember, eviscerate, incinerate and slightly bruise mob after angry mob of knight-hating baddies. As your enemies fall on the battlefield, you'll be rewarded with gold which can be used to upgrade equipment and you'll earn experience to upgrade well yourself. Boss battles are strewn throughout the game and are equal parts challenge and hilarity with animations, special moves and environments that are sure to keep you smiling. That is, until your knight is pulverized and you're forced to restart your quest.

Castle Crashers uses smooth animations and crisp graphics to re-create a violence-laden, interactive Saturday morning cartoon that next-generation diehards would be proud to play. Throw in the laugh-out-loud humor, simple yet enjoyable gameplay, and the completely affordable 1,200 Microsoft Point price tag, and you've got a game that is sure to revitalize a lost genre and find a place in every gamer's heart.

The Summary

You control an animated knight in a hilarious adventure to save a princess from a variety of bad guys in a well-priced, well-constructed side-scrolling beat 'em up for the Xbox 360.


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