You can read this entire review here.
Tag Archives: Xbox1
Retro Review: Ninja Gaiden 1 Classic Xbox (Xbox1. Also On Wii Virtual Console)
Summer Gaming. What Games Do You Plan To Finish Before the Holiday Rush of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas 2012?
Summer game time! But is this the last summer for Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3?
Summer Game Time (TM :P) is a time when playing videogames is as important as going to your job. Why? Because you MUST FINISH your backlog of games that you never completed all year and from years past, in order to prepare yourself for the absolute ONSLAUGHT of holiday releases; many of which are sequels. If you are to enjoy those sequels to their fullest, then you must finish the games that preceded them in order to catch yourself up on what is happening in said sequels.
So what games are YOU planning on playing before the holiday rush?
Sequels being released this holiday include: Assassin’s Creed III, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Resident Evil 6 (October 2nd), Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (July 31st), Borderlands 2 (September 18th), Pokemon Black and White Version 2 (October 7th), Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time (October 1st), Fable: The Journey (October 9th), Medal of Honor: Warfighter (October 23rd), Far Cry 3 (September 4th), Gears of War: Judgement (2013), Splinter Cell: Blacklist (2013), etc.
On the Cutting Room Floor: Halo 2 (Episode 7)
Master Chief watches from above, ready for action!
If you know me, you know that there are TONS AND TONS of videogames I’ve never played. Sadly, although I consider myself to be a “hardcore” gamer, I really am not compared to most “gamers”. The reason for that is because, unlike other more productive people, I can never seem to find the time to play games. Period.
In fact, my most played system as of late has been my Nintendo 3DS, and that’s simply because it is the easiest system to play when I’m sitting on the throne…. And cause I’m a hardcore Nintendo fanboy to boot.
So I thought it would be fun to go through some of the games I’d LOVE to play and still plan on playing someday, but never have up to this point and why I want to play them. Maybe I’ll get to them at some point, and hopefully soon; but maybe not. We’ll see. Enjoy.
EPISODE #7 – Halo 2
Released: November 9 2004 (Xbox), May 17 2007 (Windows Vista PC)
System: Xbox1, Windows PC
Re-Released: Never
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Developed By: Bungie
Publisher: Microsoft
Is There A Digital Version?: No (Not yet)
Halo 2 is a game that really needs no introduction. The second entry in Master Chief’s Halo saga, the game greatly expanded upon the original Halo after that game’s massive success as a 2001 launch game for the original Xbox, and the rest is history. Halo 2 would become THE signature game of the original Xbox system.
I loved the original Halo game (although I didn’t much play multiplayer, since I am not a multiplayer guy and could care less about multiplayer in games) and I reviewed it for VGB where I gave the game a score of 8.5. Give my VideoGamesBlogger Halo 1: Combat Evolved review a read to see what I thought about the first Halo game.
The bonus material included in the Limited Edition of Halo 2 for the original Xbox.
Once Halo 2 hit however, I didn’t keep up with the series and I never got around to playing the game despite all the hysteria surrounding the epic sequel. To this day I still want to track the Halo 2 Collector’s Edition down to own a copy of it.
Halo 2 was arguably the game that everyone was hoping they’d get with the original Halo. It greatly expanded the mythos of the series by adding a new universe and extensive cast of new characters, including a playable alien Covenant named “The Arbiter”! This made a huge splash and was akin to the first time that gamers figured out that Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was actually more about a fellow named Raiden than Solid Snake! Likewise, when players found out that the Master Chief wasn’t the sole focus of Halo 2…. waves were made. It was a HUGE decision by developer Bungie and publisher Microsoft, but it was something that really helped the sequel stand-out among other games, and it made the game a very memorable experience. Additionally, the single-player story was expanded to a galactic level, and ended on a Cliffhanger that left fans dazed and craving more. The perfect excuse to transition into the sequel to Halo 2, Halo 3! Which wouldn’t hit until the original Xbox1’s successor, the Xbox 360 launched in 2006, with Halo 3 arriving a year later in 2007 to just as much, if not more, fanfare than Halo 2.
Here is what the intense, beloved multiplayer of Halo 2 looked like. From 3rd-person instead of 1st.
Halo 2 made its biggest splash however with the multiplayer game. It was here where the Xbox really propelled itself as a true online multiplayer powerhouse extraordinaire, as Halo 2 introduced gamers to Xbox Live, Microsoft’s then-new online service. Xbox Live allowed players to connect their Xbox1 machines to the Internet and play multiplayer games online! The game also included full cooperative play where you could tackle the single-player game with a buddy, and supported System Link, wherein people would stage massive house parties where several Xbox systems were linked up to each other allowing for 8-16 player offline multiplayer matches (something also offered with the original Halo).
Although I wasn’t a Halo player, I clearly remember some of the insanely fun Halo 2 multiplayer matches that the game spawned. One time several of my buddies and a friend who was the brother of our church’s pastor (much younger brother, mind), got two Xbox’s, two copies of Halo 2 and multiple Xbox controllers together, and we headed down to the church that night. Our buddy had the key to the church doors and permission to enter from the pastor, so we headed into the church and staged a massive Halo 2 tournament, playing the game on the big projector screens with the church’s booming sound! Since I wasn’t interested in Halo 2, I sat back and played DJ. Pumping out awesome metal beats to go along with all the multiplayer shooting action!
Here is what Halo 2 single-player looks like, facing off some enemy aliens with a Shotgun!
Ahhhh, those were the days! I can clearly remember another giant houseparty I went to where they had 16 players with Xbox systems set up in each and every room. Suffice it to say, Halo 2 and system link multiplayer were HUGE back-in-the-day, and they truly elevated Halo to mainstream status that was akin to what happened when GoldenEye 007 hit, where everyone and their mother seemed to be playing it (Oh yeah, and Halo 2 copied GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark’s “dual-wielding”, while acting like they made it up themselves. Tsk tsk… There I said it.)
I feel like a very sad, wise-old turtle for not having played Halo 2. But it is definitely still a game that I intend to play very soon. And due to never having played Halo 2, I still don’t know much of anything about the Halo storyline and mythos as a whole, having tried my best to avoid spoilers for each subsequent game. Because I never played the second one, I also never played the following titles, including Halo 3, Halo Reach, Halo 3: ODST and Halo Wars…. all games that I’d love to play so I can finally catch myself up on what everyone has been clamoring about all these years… and prepare myself for the total epic awesomeness that is sure to be Halo 4!
The Master Chief defending against an aerial bombardment in this Halo 2 wallpaper.
It’s worth noting that Halo 2 was the most popular Xbox Live online game all the way up until two years later and the Xbox 360, when Gears of War finally unseated it! Halo 2 was also the most successful original Xbox game, selling well-over 6 million copies in the United States alone. I wouldn’t be surprised if the real worldwide sales numbers were closer to 20 million.
Previous Episodes of “On the Cutting Room Floor”:
* On the Cutting Room Floor Episode 6 – The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons (Posted: June 3, 2012)
* On the Cutting Room Floor Episode 5 – Otogi: Myth of Demons (Posted: May 27, 2012)
* On the Cutting Room Floor Episode 4 – Drill Dozer (Posted: May 21, 2012)
* On the Cutting Room Floor Episode 3 – Psychonauts (Posted: May 11, 2012)
* On the Cutting Room Floor Episode 2 – Silent Hill 3 (Posted: May 3, 2012)
* Episode 1 – On the Cutting Room Floor: Games I’ve Yet to Play – EarthBound (Posted: April 26, 2012)
On the Cutting Room Floor – Otogi 1: Myth of Demons (Episode 5)
Yes I own both Otogi 1 & 2. No I haven’t played them. Yes I am a sad panda. :(
If you know me, you know that there are TONS AND TONS of videogames I’ve never played. Sadly, although I consider myself to be a “hardcore” gamer, I really am not compared to most “gamers”. The reason for that is because, unlike other more productive people, I can never seem to find the time to play games. Period.
In fact, my most played system as of late has been my Nintendo 3DS, and that’s simply because it is the easiest system to play when I’m sitting on the throne…. And cause I’m a hardcore Nintendo fanboy to boot.
So I thought it would be fun to go through some of the games I’d LOVE to play and still plan on playing someday, but never have up to this point and why I want to play them. Maybe I’ll get to them at some point, and hopefully soon; but maybe not. We’ll see. Enjoy.
EPISODE #5 – OTOGI: MYTH OF DEMONS
Released: 2003
System: Xbox1
Re-Released: Never
Genre: Action
Developed By: From Software
Publisher: Sega
Is There A Digital Version?: No
Otogi was one of the highest-praised games for the original Xbox.
Otogi: Myth of Demons is one of the most critically acclaimed, highly-praised action titles to hit the original Xbox. Developed by From Software, in the days before they hit it big with Demon’s Souls (but were well-known for the Tenchu & Armored Core titles), and published by Sega; Otogi 1: Myth of Demons was an extremely unique brightspot in the Xbox 1’s library, and served to give the system a huge critical hit that came out of no where and surprised a lot of people.
The game received high review scores across the board, was honored with Game of the Month and Game of the Year nominations, helping to feed the original Xbox’s image as THE system for great third-person action games; also being home to Tecmo’s Ninja Gaiden series reboot.
Here is what Otogi: Myth of Demons looks like in gameplay.
Otogi 1 though was a different kind of game than say Ninja Gaiden or Devil May Cry. It was action through and through, but a slower-paced action than that of its contemporaries, and it was a game that was as much focused on atmosphere and mood as it was on crazy action scenes, swarms of deadly enemies, skilled combo-creation and tough boss fights.
In Otogi 1, players took on the role of an ancient Japanese style seemingly demonic human character, who was given the ability to completely level the buildings and structures of the environment around him with his weapons. Ancient Japanese mythology was the set-piece, and the game featured eerie, strange characters and spooky enemies.
Titanic boss creatures and ugly, demonic fiends were par-for-the-course in Otogi 1: Myth of Demons
Otogi’s hook is that you could use your sword and weapons to completely obliterate any building or structure in your path (this had been offered in a few games before, but unlike in them, here you were human-sized and not giant. Additionally virtually ANY structure could be completely destroyed), you could also float through the air which added a kind of poetic grace to the smooth-action. In the age of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, this seemed like it may become a new trend; it didn’t, but the floaty nature of the action gave the game a unique feel that separated it from anything else gamers had played. This, along with the haunting world, style and voice-work; made the game into a cult-classic.
Here is a video review of Otogi 1, by none-other than ex-GameSpot head honcho Greg Kasavin! (who was lead designer behind the hit RPG Bastion)
Much like From Software’s huge modern hits Demon’s Souls and its sequel, Dark Souls, Otogi 1 turned heads and was one of the first games to really put From Software on the map and break them from the mold of mediocre franchise titles they were known for. The game also was heavily Japanese-styled, just like the aforementioned modern titles (maybe it inspired them?) with a focus on the demonic. Unlike the games From Software was most known for at the time (Armored Core & Tenchu), Otogi was of very high quality, and many considered it a 3D action title of killer-app proportions for the Xbox.
Sadly the game was criminally never re-released, but the game still holds up well today. If you can track down an original Xbox system, I urge you to pick up Otogi 1! This is one of my brother’s favorite games, and I’ve owned it for quite a long while. One of these days I’ll get around to playing it… as I always tell myself. But this is one that I’ve always wanted to sink my teeth into. I only played a bit of it, I’m sure I’d love it if I really gave it another shot.
Surrounded by strange gel enemies? Just another day’s work in Otogi 1!
I’m a huge fan of other similar-styed action games like Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden, so I think Otogi 1 is really right up my ally. Of course, Otogi is more artsy, which very cool and all the more reason to play it!
I may do a “ListenToMePlay” of Otogi 1 AND 2 along with my brother RedWinged Angel (who joined me on the ListenToMePlay The Witcher 2 podcast) as he has been begging me to play the game and review it. :)
Cool wallpaper for main character Raikoh of Otogi: Myth of Demons.
Previous Episodes of “On the Cutting Room Floor”:
* On the Cutting Room Floor Episode 4 – Drill Dozer
* On the Cutting Room Floor Episode 3 – Psychonauts
* On the Cutting Room Floor Episode 2 – Silent Hill 3
* Episode 1 – On the Cutting Room Floor: Games I’ve Yet to Play – EarthBound
On the Cutting Room Floor – Psychonauts (Episode 3)
… The psychodelic box artwork for Tim Schafer’s crazed platformer, Psychonauts from last-gen (PS2, Xbox).
In fact, my most played system as of late has been my Nintendo 3DS, and that’s simply because it is the easiest system to play when I’m sitting on the throne…. And cause I’m a hardcore Nintendo fanboy to boot.
So I thought it would be fun to go through some of the games I’d LOVE to play and still plan on playing someday, but never have up to this point and why I want to play them. Maybe I’ll get to them at some point, and hopefully soon; but maybe not. We’ll see. Enjoy.
EPISODE #3 – PSYCHONAUTS
Released: 2005
System: Xbox1, PS2, PC
Re-Released: Xbox 360 (As Xbox Original), Steam (PC, Mac), GOG (PC), GameTap (PC w/subscription)
Genre: Platformer
Developed By: Double Fine
Publisher: Majesco
Creator: Tim Schafer
Is There A Digital Version?: Yes (Steam, GOG, GameTap)
Pyschonauts is a beloved, critically acclaimed cult-classic platformer that was originally released in 2005 for PS2, original Xbox and PC. The game was developed by Tim Schafer, the mind behind many great, classic PC adventure games (Grim Fandango, Full Throttle) and more recent hits like Brutal Legend. As well as recent, great downloadable titles like Stacking, Sesame Street: Once Upon A Monster and Kinect’s Double Fine Action Theater. Tim and his company, Double Fine, also recently earned over $3 million dollars on Kickstarter in order to create a modern-day Adventure game like the classic Tim Schafer adventure games of old, and that was and remains one of the highest earning Kickstarter projects ever.
Doors, doors everywhere! Inside the psyche offers interesting environments.
Enter: Pyshconauts. It was a complete departure for the developer back in 2005 because they sought to create a unique and interesting platformer of very high-quality. I have read many times about the game and thought about buying it even more times than that. I think I do own the Steam version, but I never got around to playing it on the original Xbox like I always wanted to.
And sadly, many people share the same experience as me, having “not gotten around” to playing this critical darling. The game’s iconic artwork always called out to me, and even if you haven’t played it you probably recognize the psychedelic box art with the crazy-looking kid on the cover… a cover you skipped by many-a-time. You may have even picked the box up and looked at the back… before setting it back down and buying something else. FOR SHAME!
Sadly, Psychonauts was a huge disappointment and failure commercially, a trend that Tim Schafer knows all-too-well (even the big-budget, Jack Black-infused Brutal Legend failed to sell as much as was expected).
Psychonauts impressed many and received rave reviews upon release in 2005.
This is a sad statement because, according to everything I’ve heard, Phsychonauts is an incredible game. And the game recieved amazing review scores upon its debut. Psychonauts is a platformer where you enter into very unique worlds developed from a person’s physche, thus the title of the game. Or something like that, having not played it I don’t quite understand, but it’s enough to intrigue anyone reading up on the game.
Many people swear by Pyschonauts and claim it is one of the best games ever made, and one of the most unique, high-quality platformers of all time. That’s a pretty bold statement. But hopefully I’ll decide to pop this game in sometime soon and see what all the fuss is about. I love me some platformers and count platform games as among my favorite genres (others being Action Adventure and Survival Horror). So I am SURE that I’d love Pyschonauts. I also have NEVER played a Tim Schafer game before. I know I know, I’m an eternal sad panda.
Here is a trailer for Pyschonauts, one I won’t watch due to spoilers… I still wanna play this game. (natch)
Psychonauts is one of those games from last-gen that made waves and consistently tops “best of” and “must play” lists, along with criminally underplayed titles like Michael Ancel’s Beyond Good & Evil (published by Ubisoft)…. another game I’ve yet to play all the way through. But hey at least I played it! I got stuck though… about time I give it another shot!
Maybe that’ll be my next “On the Cutting Room Floor” entry….
Previous Episodes of “On the Cutting Room Floor”:
* On the Cutting Room Floor Episode 2 – Silent Hill 3
* Episode 1 – On the Cutting Room Floor: Games I’ve Yet to Play – EarthBound
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