Video Game Reviews
New Titles in Halo and Assassin's Creed Series
Scott Endicott
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Magazine
Halo 3: Orbital Drop Shock Trooper : Bungie returns to its roots
What started as some extra content to hold everyone over until the release of Halo: Reach is now its own separate title with a new hero and a new campaign, in combination with some additions suggestive of the original title. Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST) disappointed some with its hefty price tag but the amount of new content available has convinced most that this game is worth the hit to their wallet.
Once you delve into the story of a few highly trained marines battling the well-known alien race, the Covenant, you are swept away by the performance Bungie Studios brings to the table. Rather than the usual fast-paced, blood-pumping background music, they switched gears to a more soothing and almost introspective style to match the shadowy aura this game produces. For weapons, there is no dual-wielding (having a gun in each hand, just one gun for both hands this time), but the pistol has finally found a happy medium. Entire games will not be won solely through this little killing machine but with its scope back and packing a little more punch than in Halo 2 and 3, it is once again a formidable option.
Not only is there new content for the plot and smart changes to the game play, a second disc contains all of the currently available Halo 3 multiplayer maps in addition to a few new ones. In addition, a new mode, called Firefight, is reminiscent of Gears of War's Horde mode, where the player and up to three friends hold out as long as they can against wave after wave of enemies.
Despite its connection to Halo 3, this game stands out because of the addition of its new features. This studio gave ODST its full effort, ending with a little smiling icon and a short message: "Love, Bungie".
4 Stars
Assassin's Creed 2: Altair was Just the Beginning
In about two weeks, the highly anticipated Assassin's Creed 2 will be coming out, and it looks like the few problems voiced by gamers have been duly noted and taken care of by the executive producer Jade Raymond and her team. Although the first game wowed their audience with an expansive world that included ancient cities such as Jerusalem and Damascus for players to explore, issues such as lackluster chores to complete before assassinations and repetitive game play plagued the original title.
Thankfully Ubisoft has not diminished their devotion to this new franchise, for it is a perfect example of a game not only dedicated to entertaining game play but a rich story that brings to life some of the most important times in history. In the first game, the minds of Ubisoft took an ancient environment where the law was brutal and the leaders often corrupt and they implemented a secret society that uses its skill in the art of assassination to be a catalyst for change.
This time around, the game is taking place in Renaissance Italy with a new main character by the name of Ezio, another descendant of Altair, from the first game. Not only does he have cool new features like a second hidden blade for double assassinations, but this hero can disarm enemies and use their own weapons against them.
The landscape is much more influenced by water with cities such as Venice appearing in this promising sequel. Swimming will be a prominent feature, Ezio being able to escape guards by diving into the waterways of Italy and even pulling in his foes to an aquatic demise. Other additions include some sort of economic system where Ezio can buy new toys like smoke bombs to further impede capture.
Without a doubt this is one of the most wanted games this fall. Gamers on campus, check November 17th on your calendars, Assassins Creed 2 is almost here.
5 Stars
Rating System
5 Stars: Must have
4 Stars: Definitely worth getting but a few issues here and there
3 Stars: Decent game, entertaining but probably best to wait for a few months for the price to go down 20 bucks
2 Stars: Unless you want to be frustrated/bored/confused or all of the above, just avoid this
1 Star: Good gift idea for sworn enemies and annoying little siblings
What started as some extra content to hold everyone over until the release of Halo: Reach is now its own separate title with a new hero and a new campaign, in combination with some additions suggestive of the original title. Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST) disappointed some with its hefty price tag but the amount of new content available has convinced most that this game is worth the hit to their wallet.
Once you delve into the story of a few highly trained marines battling the well-known alien race, the Covenant, you are swept away by the performance Bungie Studios brings to the table. Rather than the usual fast-paced, blood-pumping background music, they switched gears to a more soothing and almost introspective style to match the shadowy aura this game produces. For weapons, there is no dual-wielding (having a gun in each hand, just one gun for both hands this time), but the pistol has finally found a happy medium. Entire games will not be won solely through this little killing machine but with its scope back and packing a little more punch than in Halo 2 and 3, it is once again a formidable option.
Not only is there new content for the plot and smart changes to the game play, a second disc contains all of the currently available Halo 3 multiplayer maps in addition to a few new ones. In addition, a new mode, called Firefight, is reminiscent of Gears of War's Horde mode, where the player and up to three friends hold out as long as they can against wave after wave of enemies.
Despite its connection to Halo 3, this game stands out because of the addition of its new features. This studio gave ODST its full effort, ending with a little smiling icon and a short message: "Love, Bungie".
4 Stars
Assassin's Creed 2: Altair was Just the Beginning
In about two weeks, the highly anticipated Assassin's Creed 2 will be coming out, and it looks like the few problems voiced by gamers have been duly noted and taken care of by the executive producer Jade Raymond and her team. Although the first game wowed their audience with an expansive world that included ancient cities such as Jerusalem and Damascus for players to explore, issues such as lackluster chores to complete before assassinations and repetitive game play plagued the original title.
Thankfully Ubisoft has not diminished their devotion to this new franchise, for it is a perfect example of a game not only dedicated to entertaining game play but a rich story that brings to life some of the most important times in history. In the first game, the minds of Ubisoft took an ancient environment where the law was brutal and the leaders often corrupt and they implemented a secret society that uses its skill in the art of assassination to be a catalyst for change.
This time around, the game is taking place in Renaissance Italy with a new main character by the name of Ezio, another descendant of Altair, from the first game. Not only does he have cool new features like a second hidden blade for double assassinations, but this hero can disarm enemies and use their own weapons against them.
The landscape is much more influenced by water with cities such as Venice appearing in this promising sequel. Swimming will be a prominent feature, Ezio being able to escape guards by diving into the waterways of Italy and even pulling in his foes to an aquatic demise. Other additions include some sort of economic system where Ezio can buy new toys like smoke bombs to further impede capture.
Without a doubt this is one of the most wanted games this fall. Gamers on campus, check November 17th on your calendars, Assassins Creed 2 is almost here.
5 Stars
Rating System
5 Stars: Must have
4 Stars: Definitely worth getting but a few issues here and there
3 Stars: Decent game, entertaining but probably best to wait for a few months for the price to go down 20 bucks
2 Stars: Unless you want to be frustrated/bored/confused or all of the above, just avoid this
1 Star: Good gift idea for sworn enemies and annoying little siblings
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