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