UNCHARTED: DRAKE'S FORTUNE (PS3)

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is the definitive title for the Play Station 3. You play this third-person title as a treasure hunter named Nathan Drake. Nathan is a descendant of the famous explorer Sir Francis Drake. You, a blond reporter, and a fellow treasure hunter spend the 9-10 hour campaign on an island searching for treasure originally sought by Sir Francis. This game is not simply a modern version of Tomb Raider; it does an amazing job of mixing platforming, puzzle solving, and gun play. Throw in a Gears of War-style cover system, and one of the best pieces of video game story-telling ever, and you have an instant classic.

You'll spend the game going through beautiful jungles, underground caverns, as well as ancient ruins. The game play never gets old due to the constant changing of pace; you go from exploring/puzzle solving to tactical shooting to pure run and gun action. In addition to these changes, the game throws in some great vehicle sequences to break up the action. Wrapped around all this is an incredible story; you will feel as if you are inside an Indiana Jones movie. The achievements and unlockables, along with the fact that there are so many ways to play through this game, guarantee you will want to play the campaign more than once.





Drake's Fortune is quite the technological achievement. This is one of the best looking games ever made. The level of detail and sound quality rivals the cinematic experience of Bio Shock. The video clips we've included do not do justice to this title; you need to experience it for yourself.



If you are looking for flaws in this title (and you have to look hard) one could nit-pick over the camera not being perfect in a few of the jumping sequences. The fact of the matter, however, is that this title comes as close to perfection as anything else of late.

We could go on for several pages about this title without even scratching the surface as to how great it is. Much like the Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay, this action/adventure title does not fit within any one genre classification as it merges different aspects of several genres into one complete package. Buy this game if you do not own it. If you do not own a PS3, this title justifies purchasing one.

Grade: 9.9 Click here to buy Uncharted: Drake's Fortune on Amazon. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

Copyright © Chopping Block Reviews 2008

UBISOFT SALES UP 32%

Ubisoft has reported a 32% increase in sales for the first half of its 2008-09 fiscal year. Interestingly, the company cited a growth in "casual game" sales for a chunk of this growth. The company believes that second half growth will remain strong, in part due to sales of Far Cry 2 which sold one million units in less than its first three weeks.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL (DVD)(2008)

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull picks up the adventures of Indiana in the mid-1950's. While other classic franchises, such as Rambo, Rocky, and Star Trek are being brought back with certain success, this film simply falls short.

The story starts off early with Indiana matching wits against the Russians. The plot quickly evolves into a search for the Crystal Skull, which is believed to be an important artifact from a lost city. The Russians are also searching for the skull as they believe it will provide them with the key to developing mind-control weaponry. It later becomes apparent that the skull is actually the remains of a dead inter-dimensional creature and the story morphs into a B-movie type science fiction affair.

The film is a large departure from prior Indiana Jones movies and feels like a second-tier sci-fi flick. There is no engrossing story, as in the prior films, and Harrison Ford looks his age but is still trying to play the rough and tumble character of Indiana Jones. Furthermore, even though movie technology has progressed greatly since the last film, the movie feels as if it's on a smaller scale than the prior installments.

This film may be worth renting (and not purchasing) if you are a fan of the franchise. Other than that, however, you have far better viewing options.

Grade: 5.5

Click here to buy Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on Amazon. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Single Disc)

Copyright © Chopping Block Reviews 2008

DEAD SPACE: DOWNFALL NOW AVAILABLE VIA PSN

The animated film Dead Space: Downfall is available for download via the Play Station network. The film serves as a prequel to outstanding survival horror game Dead Space. You come to learn how the USG Ishimura became overrun. The film tells the story well and should be watched by anyone who has played Dead Space or is considering it. One criticism is that some greater character development would have been greatly appreciated as the film feels rather rushed. All in all, however, watching the film is a great experience for anyone who has played the game.

Grade: 8

Copyright © Chopping Block Reviews 2008

RESIDENT EVIL: DEGENERATION (BLU RAY/DVD)

Game Informer is reporting that the first computer generated Resident Evil film will be available on Blu Ray and DVD this coming December. The film is meant to bridge the gap between Resident Evil 4 and the upcoming blockbuster, Resident Evil 5. Given all the hype surrounding RE 5, this movie will undoubtedly be snatched up upon release.

Click here to view the trailer.

Copyright © Chopping Block Reviews 2008

MIRROR’S EDGE (PS3)

Mirror’s Edge attempts to revolutionize the platforming genre by creating a first-person run and jump game. While the game has some good platforming elements, its several drawbacks make it hard to justify purchasing this title.

In Mirror’s Edge you take on the role of a “runner” named Faith. Faith lives in a society where dissent from the government is not tolerated and dissenters deliver messages through runners. Early in the game Faith and her sister are set up to take the fall for the murder of a political candidate. Faith’s attempts to uncover the truth form a pretty good story for the game.

The game is all about running, jumping and putting together combinations of platforming moves. While the speed and pacing of the game provides a rush at first, it wears thin rather quickly. While games such as Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, add a good combat system and puzzle solving to break up the platforming action, Mirror’s Edge is simply missing the other qualities. The combat system in this game is essentially broken; we found it very difficult to use and when you do have success it is more by random button pushing. Furthermore, the jumping puzzles in Mirror’s Edge feel as though they are inserted for the sake of having jumping puzzles; they really hurt the game’s flow.

Mirror’s Edge presents a good technological package. Our play through showed no noticeable bugs or frame rate problems. The games graphical presentation is also quite good.

The attempt to import platforming into first-person game does seem to be a good idea and could make for good game play. Unfortunately, the failure to put in a good combat system, and the seemingly forced puzzle solving elements of Mirror’s Edge, make this a game that is better off rented than purchased.

Grade: 6.0

Click here to buy Mirror’s Edge on Amazon. Mirror's Edge

Copyright © Chopping Block Reviews 2008

BLACK (PS2)

Black was released for the PS2 and Xbox in 2006. While this game has a lot going for it, there are also enough drawbacks to keep Black from being a considered one of the “great” shooters of its time.

Black puts you in the role of a Special Forces member named Keller. The short (roughly six hour) campaign has you pursuing a terrorist known as Lennix. What really helps the game play is the need for patience/strategy; it is necessary for you to fight from behind cover and plan your attacks or else you will be ripped to shreds quickly. Also, essentially all environments are destructible and there are exploding objects, which can be used to blow up enemies, scattered all over the various maps. The game really calls on you to cut through various cover with your weapons to kill the enemy and to use explosions as a weapon. This use of the environment and explosions brings an element not present in most shooters of this time frame.



Black pulls every last ounce of horse power out of the PS2. This game looks just as good, if not better, as some titles you see on the PS3. In addition to the core graphics, the aforementioned explosions look amazing. Also, there is a great blur effect every time you reload a weapon. Again, this game still looks quite good even by late 2008 standards.



Black certainly has flaws to go along with its positives. The different levels are essentially a group of disconnected maps tied together by cut scenes showing Keller debriefed after the campaign. Furthermore, the enemy AI is only mediocre to fair. There is also nothing to break up the action; you are running and gunning throughout with no vehicle or alternative sequences to break up the action. Also, there is essentially no variety in the types of enemies you are fighting. Curiously, Black includes NO multi-player component (odd for a 2006 First Person Shooter) and no meaningful unlockable content to speak of.

While Black is a good shooter, it simply does not stand out from the pack. It’s failure to do so many things, which are present in shooters far older than this one, simply leaves you feeling that the game is missing features and content. This game has enough going for it though to justify purchasing or renting it for your PS2. Just don’t expect for there to be a lot of replay value after the initial play through.

Grade: 7

Click here to buy Black on Amazon. Black

Copyright © Chopping Block Reviews 2008

GTA 4 (XBOX 360)

Grand Theft Auto 4 is quite an amazing game. Its definitely got a lot going for it. The game allows to do a large amount of different activities that feel quite a bit like mini-games. Of course, it sticks to the roots of mayhem of GTA games that make them ever so enjoyable. It does, however, give the player a much more open environment, even allowing you to search an in-game Internet. Online multi player is also introduced.

The game play is extremely interesting. Niko Belic is an immigrant trying to make himself and for his cousin in Liberty City, which is a story line incomparable to any other GTA games. You can now have friends that you can call on a cell phone to do activities, but I found this to get old after the first couple "outings". What never does fail to be enjoyable are the diverse missions presented to you by an interesting variety of characters. As usual, it's a story of your character's way up in the world. Guess they just have a consistently winning layout for the series.

This game is graphically beautiful, and at the time of release was obviously in the forefront. There are a diverse amount of cars and architectural designs. Character models are much more lifelike, and things feel much more human. No one area of the map is similar to the other. It's all very reminiscent of New York city, which adds a dash "wow" factor.

As Grand Theft Auto 4 is a great game, it seems to stray away from some of the other games' basic structure do to the storyline and other aspects that try to draw in a bigger crowd. GTA fans will definitely love this one though. Even with the downsides, this game is a good buy.

Grade: 8

Click here to buy GTA 4 on Amazon. Grand Theft Auto IV

Copyright © Chopping Block Reviews 2008

RESISTANCE 2 (PS3)

Resistance: Fall of Man was easily the best game of the Play Station 3 launch. The game drew many comparisons to Halo’s launch with the original Xbox. Interestingly, Resistance 2 reminded us quite a bit of the criticisms of Halo 2; while Resistance 2’s multiplayer is an amazing achievement, the still good single player campaign just simply lacks the polish of the original.

Resistance 2’s single player campaign again puts you in the role of Nathan Hale. Hale’s battle against the Chimara has now come to the United States. You’ll battle the Chimara in several different locales and there is a greater variety of Chimara in Resistance 2 than appeared in the original. The outstanding weapons from the original return with a twist; you can now only carry two weapons at a time. This leads to the situational weapon selection that most of us have come to enjoy in modern shooters. Also, you no longer need to search for health vials as Hale’s health automatically recharges as in other modern shooters. An odd omission from Resistance 2 is the outstanding vehicle sequences from the original have been removed. We really weren’t quite sure why Insomniac left these types of sequences out.



The outstanding enemy AI, as well as larger scale environments, make the single player campaign worthwhile. The campaign, however, just doesn’t feel as polished as we had hoped. The lack of a narrator (which really tied things together in the original Resistance) makes the story rather difficult to follow. Also, the games different chapters feel rather disconnected and seem to lack coherency. Also, for some odd reason, Insomniac took away the option to play the single player campaign in a split-screen co-op mode. While the single player campaign is still quite good, we weren’t left with a “cut above the rest” feeling like we were after the first game.

Resistance 2 stands out in its multiplayer. The sixty player matches are pretty impressive. Also, the additional missions that can be played via online co-op are a blast. The best mode in multiplayer though is the new “Skirmish” setting. This is a mode where both teams are given multiple objectives to achieve and you really feel like part of a large scale conflict. The maps are great and lend themselves to Skirmish mode very well.



Resistance 2 is quite the technological achievement. The game looks outstanding (though not as good as Gears of War 2). Our play through showed no bugs or hang-ups. The large scale multi-player modes leaves you a little awe struck at first, there simply haven’t been other multi-player games on this scale. The time that must have gone into developing the multi-player code is pretty astonishing.

Resistance 2 is a great game and should be purchased. This is a great bang for your buck between the good single player campaign, online co-op modes, and great multi-player functions. It’s hard to get this much for your money from another game. We’re only giving the game an 8.5 however as those who purchase Resistance for the single player aspect will be left feeling that it is a step back from the original for the reasons stated above.

Grade 8.5

Click here to buy Resistance 2 on Amazon. Resistance 2


Copyright © Chopping Block Reviews 2008

GEARS OF WAR 2 (XBOX 360)

Epic Games has hit a home run with Gears of War 2. This game takes everything that was done in the original (which was an instant classic in 2006) and does it again on a much larger scale. The added game play mechanics, excellent story, and improved multi-player make Gears of War 2 an instant contender for Game of the Year honors.

Marcus and Dom return from Gears of War. In this game, however, they are part of a much larger conflict that is often raging around you. The outstanding cover system has returned and the game play is improved in several areas. First, there is a larger variety of Locusts (the name of the enemy race in the series); these additions include multiple types of Boomers as well as the introductions of Brumaks into battle. Second, you can now use downed Locusts as a type of human shield. Finally, the much larger environments, and impressive set pieces, will leave you awe struck for much of the campaign.



Lack of story was one of the few criticisms levied against the original game. That problem has been rectified in Gears 2. The game gives you quite a bit of back story about Dom and begins to fill in further details about the history between Marcus and his father. Furthermore, you come to learn much more about the organization and motivations of the Locust.

The outstanding multiplayer of Gears returns with several improvements. In addition to new modes and new maps, you are now able to use bots to ensure an equal number of players on each team. Also, bot training matches are now available for those who are unfamiliar with the Gears multiplayer. The improvements to the outstanding multiplayer from Gears make this game likely to spinning in peoples’ Xbox 360s for quite some time.

Gears of war is a technological marvel. It’s impressive that so much could be packed on to a single DVD. The graphics are improved from the original and the larger scale of the game, again, impresses from start to end. One minor criticism could be that there was an occasional slowdown when we played the game in co-op mode. Given the level of size and detail, however, this is more than understandable.

Gears of War 2 is not only one of the best games of 2008, it is easily one of the best action/shooter games ever developed on any platform. This title should be purchased immediately and, if you do not own an Xbox 360, this title justifies purchasing one.

Grade: 9.9

Click here to buy Gears of War 2 on Amazon. Gears of War 2

FAR CRY 2 (PS3)

Far Cry 2 is pretty darn impressive. It's a great sequel, doing different things better than Far Cry, but it also lags behind in some aspects. This game is definitely some eye candy, with an enormous world. There really is a ton of gameplay, as you can work for two factions, and side missions are available.

The story is definitely one of the low points for this title. Basically you're in Africa to find and kill the Jackal. There's not much in between the beginning and end. You have buddies that can either "rescue" you when you die, or offer an alternative to your missions. Things feel a bit repetitive at times, until you get towards the final part and a few little times during the story. However changing between the main story and side missions offers a dash of diversity there. Gameplay is fundamentally like the first, with fewer enemies unless you stop to kill everyone you see. Also, you can make a large amount of decisions in this game that affect the story/upcoming tasks.

The visuals are truly amazing. This game does landscaping even better than the first, with great lighting effects and even some dense fog. The cars have a good amount of detail, but the best looking things in the game are the various weapons. Character models look equally as stunning. Topping everything, though, is the 50 sq km world. It is fully open for exploration, just not with too many buildings, items, etc. The locations that are there are all unique though.

All in all this game is a great buy. Graphics and the whole "wow" factor are the greatest aspects, but you'll definitely enjoy yourself with this title. If you enjoyed the first, or just open-world games, pick up this one. Far Cry 2 really does create a new spin on FPS games.

Click here to buy Far Cry 2 on Amazon. Far Cry 2


Grade: 8

DEAD SPACE (PS3)

Dead Space shows that a game does not have to do something totally new to be outstanding. This survival horror title borrows heavily from other titles, mainly Resident Evil 4, Doom 3, and Bioshock. Dead Space tells the outstanding story of a man named Isaac. Isaac is part of a crew heading to a deep space vessel to determine why the vessel has lost contact. As opposed to Doom 3, you also learn quite a bit about Isaac’s personal story. It quickly becomes apparent that things are not well on the deep space vessel. You spend the lengthy campaign fighting the various monsters that the vessel crew has morphed into. The game tells the excellent story through audio and video logs, as well as communications from Isaac’s crew. Unlike Doom 3, the audio and video logs are well-integrated into the game play and it does not feel like a hassle to get the back story.

The over the shoulder game play (similar to Resident Evil 4) in Dead Space is top-notch. You fight various forms of monsters and new ones are thrown at you as the game progresses. Interestingly, these enemies are killed by blowing off their various limbs. This adds an interesting element as you are not killing enemies in the way you normally would. The game has a good weapon selection and each weapon has an alternate firing mode so the effective number of weapons is doubled. Power ups are achieved by finding power nodes throughout the vessel. These nodes are used at various “benches” for powering up your character or his existing weapons. The benches will remind you of the power up options in Bioshock. Your character will also have the ability to purchase new items at the various “stores” throughout the vessel. These stores, again, are highly similar to the Bioshock vending machines. The varied environments and situations the game puts you in leaves the game play never feeling old and leaves you wanting more once you have completed the campaign.

Dead Space is impressive from a technical standpoint. The game looks and sounds amazing. Also, the vessel has a massive area which leaves you appreciating the time and effort that had to have gone into designing its various parts. Our play through with the Play Station 3 version showed no noticeable glitches or bugs. Also, the frame rate stayed consistent throughout, even in the most intense battle sequences.

The only criticisms one could level at Dead Space would be the lack of original game play features and the lack of multi player. It is true that Dead Space does little to nothing that is innovative as the game is largely borrowed from other successful titles. This, combined with the lack of multi player, may discourage some. This video game, however, takes what was done well in other games and does an excellent job of blending it together. Dead Space will not leave you disappointed and should be purchased as soon as possible.

Click here to buy Dead Space on Amazon. Dead Space

Grade: 9

THE HULK (DVD)(2008)

The Incredible Hulk is a reboot for the film series rather than a continuation of the poor 2003 Hulk move. Edward Norton (Fight Club, American History X) plays the role of Bruce Banner while Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings, Armageddon) plays Betty Ross. The film moves in the direction of traditional Hulk story lines and borrows heavily from the Bill Bixby television show, including a use of the television theme music and a cameo appearance from Lou Ferrigno.

The movie begins with Bruce Banner residing in Brazil attempting to find a cure for his condition. He is being sought by the military as an Army General wishes to use the hulk as the foundation for creating a series of super soldiers. As the plot progresses, Banner is forced to return to the United States to seek a college professor who has been assisting him in his research. A Special Forces soldier, who receives biological enhancements from the military to assist in fighting the Hulk, becomes obsessed with increasing his own power and eventually becomes a Hulk-like creature himself. This sets up a memorable battle between the two creatures. The ending of the movie leaves plenty of material for the planned sequel which is scheduled for 2011.

The movie tells an engrossing story and Norton plays Bruce Banner to perfection. While the computer generated Hulk images could still use some work, the film’s special effects are top-notch. The DVD’s special features are nothing special and consist of little more than a few deleted scenes.

The film’s only draw back is that it requires certain knowledge of the Hulk’s back story. This is a departure from movies such as X Men and Iron Man which provide the viewer with a back ground as to how the character came to be. This flaw is minor though as the faithful will love the film and those unfamiliar with the story will be able to pick up what is going on. This DVD is recommended for purchase.

Click here to buy The Hulk on Amazon. Incredible Hulk (Widescreen Edition)


Grade 8.5