Video Game Reviews



Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Rockstar Games

Reviewed on: iOS

Also on: Android

Street Date: 12.13.13

The definitive game of the PlayStation 2 era, 2004’s Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas raised the bar they set for open-world games with the previous two titles in the series. With RPG elements, character customization and a huge (for the era) open world, GTA: San Andreas wasn’t just a West Coast gangster epic steeped in early 1990s culture, but a technical masterpiece and one of the most critically lauded (and best-selling games) of all-time. There might not be a lot to the new re-release—save for some touch-friendly control schemes and an HD–friendly graphical upgrade—but the story of CJ and the Grove Street Families gang is still as fun as it was 10 years ago, even though it arrives in the shadow of Grand Theft Auto V. There’s nothing quite like giving your first middle finger to a rival gang member, or cruising across town with Sweet, Ryder and Big Smoke: Whether you played San Andreas for 85 hours back in the day (like myself) or you’ve never set foot in Los Santos, GTA: San Andreas is a must-own game for any iPhone or iPad gamer. –Randy Dankievitch




Killzone: Shadow Fall
Guerilla Games/Sony Computer Entertainment
Reviewed on: PS4 (Exclusive)
Street 11.15.13

Launch titles can be somewhat frustrating, especially when they are just an upscaled remake of a previous generation’s game. This is why Killzone Shadow Fall is a must–purchase for your console. The world is visually stunning and unique, the story is well put together, and the gameplay is enjoyable till the end. I am a touch tired of being told to understand the bad guy’s point of view in a game, but was pleased to see the way Killzone turned the idea of good and evil on its head. If anything can be critiqued on this title, it is the pacing of the levels. Instead of gradually accelerating you into heavier challenges, the game seems to take a “feast or famine” approach. Some levels, and even groups of levels, felt easy and quick to pass through, while others seemed intensely challenging and frustrating. Luckily, the final section was a challenge worth three boss fights. The online multi-player felt crisp, and the community management is handled well. Shooter fans have found a home for the next little while. –Thomas Winkley 

 

Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Nintendo 

Reviewed on: Nintendo 3DS (exclusive)

Street: 11.22.13

Redefining the Zelda series isn’t something you do overnight, and Nintendo took a glorious shot at it. The new mechanic of renting/buying items vs. discovering them in dungeons was a double-edged sword for A Link Between Worlds. In one way, it broke up the monotony of grinding from dungeon to dungeon, and in another way, it made the dungeons incredibly short. Even though the world map is identical to A Link To The Past, the new obstacles are overcome by jumping between Hyrule and Lorule and, of course, merging with walls using your one-of-a-kind “turn-into-a-painting” bracelet. This game has set the pace for the next generation of Zelda titles. If you’ve never played a top-down Zelda before, this is the perfect introduction, and if you’re an old veteran, it’s an incredible time. If the game was a bit more challenging or offered hero mode right from the start, it would easily be my favorite game of 2013. Though this may not be the best Zelda game they’ve made—and definitely not the best 2013 3DS title—it is still a must-play from Nintendo’s lineup. –Thomas Winkley