Video Game Reviews

When Resident Evil 4 was released in 2005, it boasted graphics and gameplay that were far superior to the majority of mainstream games that were kicking around back then.  Popular franchises such as Dead Space and Gears of War drew heavily from the innovative third-person camera angles and, almost ten years later, it still manages to scare the shit out of me.  The Ultimate HD Edition has taken the title and ramped its graphics up to scale with the HD world.  For starters, the frame rate is set at 60 frames per second, which creates a more fluid presentation.  As one who thought the standard-def graphics were amazing, seeing the freakish Regenerators in hi-def was enough to give my drawers a decent soiling.  Though the game’s new HD appearance is breathtaking, the controls do suffer a bit.  Since RE4 was designed to be played on a console, I found myself getting frustrated with the frequency at which I got mauled because playing with a mouse and keyboard made for an awkward combat experience.  That being said, any longtime fan of the game will love revisiting this gaming milestone in glorious HD.  –Alex Springer

The long-awaited second chapter to the Fables-based game has all the makings for a great murder mystery that you almost hope you never solve. Delving deeper into the Vertigo comics universe, the terrifying Blackbeard makes his appearance in the series, bringing a more sinister feeling to the already dark storyline. Series favorite Jack turns into more of an annoyance on Bigby’s investigation than a help. This choose-your-own-adventure game even takes a look at a piece of the comics that the creators hadn’t even explored, visiting a strip club (complete with animated nudity) run by Georgie Porgie as a tattooed bloke with something to hide. Aside from the storytelling aspect, which comes off fantastic, the gameplay adds more depth to the choices you make as each one continues to affect how things turn out down the road. Even the slightest movements in a fight determine how you come out later on in the chapter. The only downside is still the voice acting, which, in some cases, works, but often falls flat because of the pauses and delays. This game definitely has replay value and will make you question whether or not you’re on the right path. –Gavin Sheehan

Forget running around in GTA Online with a tank. The recent Xbox 360 port of World of Tanks takes digital, mortar-filled destruction to the next level with a surprisingly deep free-to-play multiplayer game. Imagine the most in-depth version of tank combat one could imagine, and multiply it by three: from numerous upgrade trees for improving tanks (and unlocking new ones in three different country-based progressions) to the implementation and use of these tanks in the online battles—a lot more complex than one might expect from a game with literally no entry price. At times, it’s almost too dense. Thanks to a somewhat murky UI, the sheer amount of information to analyze about new tanks and their abilities/buffs/etc. can be more than a bit daunting for the average gamer. But for those willing to invest some time into a game—without having to invest any cash, I might add – there’s a ton of fun to be had on World of Tank’s sprawling battlefields, thanks to the game’s great controls and intense tactical combat. —Randy Dankievitch