Epistory – Typing Chronicles

Epistory – Typing Chronicles

Basing an entire game around typing is not new, but Epistory does it exceptionally well and never feels like an “edutainment” title. It has a vibrant game world to explore, plenty of enemies to kill, and puzzles to solve. Seeing as the entire game is keyboard-driven and requires lots of typing, it is a bit of a niche title, but definitely worth the effort. Unless you absolutely hate typing or still get by using only one finger, Epistory should not be missed.

Gameplay: Expect plenty of typing as you explore, fight enemies, and solve puzzles.

Graphics: The origami-style visuals are unique and look great.

Sound: The game features a great soundtrack, and the narrator does a stellar job as well

Metal Gear Ac!d

Metal Gear Ac!d

While it is quite a departure from the previous Metal Gear games, it is definitely entertaining and addictive enough to make it a classic in its own right. Even if card games isn’t your thing, give Ac!d a try.

Gameplay: Very addictive with only some small annoyances.

Graphics: Good looking, but some camera issues.

Sound: No speech, but nice music and effects

Dead Or Alive 5

Dead Or Alive 5

Apart from the more realistic visuals and a couple of new characters, Dead Or Alive 5 isn’t that much different from the previous game. Fans of the series will still enjoy it as it contains all the outlandish female characters and breast physics that made the games famous. Those expecting a complete redesign will probably have to wait a bit longer.

Gameplay: Not a drastic leap forward for the series but still entertaining.

Graphics: A more realistic approach than past titles.

Sound: Passable

Beyond: Two Souls

Beyond: Two Souls

Beyond: Two Souls definitely improve on Heavy Rain in a few areas, but the story just didn’t have the same impact for me. The cleaner interface and tighter controls make the experience a lot more streamlined, but the way that the story jumps around makes it a bit less immersive in my opinion. The visuals, animations and voice acting are all top-notch and Beyond: Two Souls is without a doubt one of the best looking games on the system. There is plenty of variety, but sadly also lots of padding that ultimately drags the experience down a notch or two.

Gameplay: A streamlined interface and better controls, but the story is not as gripping as Heavy Rain.

Graphics: Some of the best visuals you will ever see on PS3.

Sound: Using professional actors to provide the voices made all the difference in the world

Devil May Cry® 3 Special Edition

Devil May Cry® 3 Special Edition

If you are the kind of gamer that sneers at console ports or action games that require a fair amount of finger dexterity then DMC 3 probably won’t appeal to you. If however you stare longingly at the button mashers on console while your PC gamepad gathers dust in the cupboard this is the game for you. Fast paced and action packed with only some minor niggles DMC 3 is a solid game despite its console roots.

Gameplay: Action packed from start to finish.

Graphics: The console roots are obvious but not too shabby overall.

Sound: Nice music and cool voice-overs

Need For Speed: Most Wanted

Need For Speed: Most Wanted

Need For Speed: Most Wanted is unfortunately one of those games that becomes a chore to complete. Everything starts out fun but the longer you play, the more it starts to drag on. The police chases are spectacular, but turn into a nuisance long before the game is over. The rubber band racing also mars the whole experience.

Gameplay: A lot of fun but it soon starts to wear a little thin.

Graphics: Not the best I’ve seen but still good.

Sound: The soundtrack is good, but you’ll eventually turn it down

Dragon Age: Origins – Leliana’s Song

Dragon Age: Origins – Leliana’s Song

Leliana’s Song is a pretty short standalone campaign, which is a must download for fans of the sneaky bard and Dragon Age completionists. As for the rest, well if you are not tired of Dragon Age yet and don’t mind shelling out for a very short adventure then you can do far worse than this.

Gameplay: Pretty short, but action packed and polished.

Graphics: Same old Dragon Age, nothing new.

Sound: Some nice voice acting throughout

Fez

Fez

Despite all the hype and delays, Fez managed to live up to expectations. The gameplay appears charmingly simple at first, but once you start analysing the cryptic puzzles there is no turning back. The beauty is that casual players can have fun simply exploring while the hardcore can delve deeper and uncover all the secrets.

Gameplay: An excellent blend of platforming, exploration and puzzle solving.

Graphics: Packed with detail and animation despite the retro aesthetics.

Sound: A perfect match for the gameplay and visuals

Feel the Magic: XY/XX

Feel the Magic: XY/XX

Feel The Magic XY/XX is a great showcase of the DS capabilities, but its definitely let down but its length. Essentially a collection of mini-games that make good use of the touch screen and microphone to test your skills it does become a bit repetitive and there’s not much to keep you coming back once you’ve completed it.

Gameplay: Wacky and unique mini-games.

Graphics: Has a very stylish retro look and feel.

Sound: Charming and catchy

Braziball Puzzle

Braziball Puzzle

Braziball is the type of game that is ideal for killing a few minutes while waiting for something or someone. However it is also addictive enough that you might find yourself playing for much longer than you planned. The visuals won’t blow you away and the audio is fairly standard, but the game accomplishes what it sets out to do quite well. The best part is that you can test it out for free to make sure you like it.

Gameplay: Easy to understand, but addictive enough to keep you playing.

Graphics: Fairly simple, but colorful and eye catching.

Sound: Nice tunes and some atmospheric sound effects