MEMBER PROFILE FOR vman
Average Overall Score Given: 8.09091 / 10
Total Forum Posts: 2408
Reviews
Marvel vs. Capcom 2
Overall: Classic arcade fighting game with your favorite comic book heros from Marvel and cool Capcom characters. But for an XBOX game, they need to put some more work into it rather than just a port. Sure, we all like the arcade look of it all but come on, get with the recent technology and make a kick-ass game!Gameplay: Can be favorable to those button mashers out there. But for you people who know what you are doing, it can be really fun. I was never one to memorize my favorite character's moves so the gameplay is alright. Trying to get those super combos is a challenge but fun to do.
Graphics: Crappy. For an xbox game, this is almost disgusting. They were going for the arcade look but come on, even Tekken improves on their graphics. Pitiful.
Audio: Meh, nothing special here. Just the same ole same ole. They need to get some new stuff into the game.
Suggestions: Upgrade and show some progress by using the great hardware MS has put together. Next Gen graphics better look insane.
Overall Score: 7.0 / 10
Madden NFL 2004
Overall: Its Madden, what more can you say? Great football with intense and in-depth commentary by you guessed it, Madden himself. A very interactive Franchise mode is the heart and soul of this game. Taking you through years of football to create and build an elite dynasty for all to fear.Gameplay: The gameplay is very well done but hard to get used to when you transition from Fever. But with a few tweaks like Playmaker then you are in complete control. Slight adjustments before the snap and a would be touch down turns into an I-N-T! It really lets you make sure that the play you picked will run to perfection when you see and predict the defense and offense of the opposing team. On the run Playmaker is also a challenge but it may be the only option you have to get the QB/RB out of a tight spot. Finesse is the name of my gampeplay and with madden, I am able to do just that. I juke and spin my way to break tackles left and right. This game franchise is a must have for any football fan.
Graphics: Madden, never too big on graphics but they get it done right. Looks good enough to not ditract from the gaming.
Audio: Not really too big on sound either. The music is alright with recent musical hits. But what is important are the sounds of the field and I believe they do a good job recreating the experience. However, you can't forget the prestigious commentary done by good ole John Madden. Personally, not a favorite. He states the obvious rather than provide some wholesome commentary.
Suggestions: Next Gen will be beast!
Overall Score: 8.0 / 10
LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game
Overall: If you love Star Wars and love legos, this is the game for you. I've been a fan of both ever since I can remember. Putting the two together was one of the most ingenious things anyone could ever do. Or so I thought. So now a game? Uh, can someone please hand me a towel? This game has a cute charm and will be a favorite for any gamer at any age.Gameplay: What stands out the most is that the multiplayer engine is entertaining and fun. Even in sinlge player, having to switch characters to perform different tasks makes the game fun and less repetitive. Easy to play but can give you hours of entertainment.
Graphics: Everything LEGO. I love to see things explode into smaller pieces of LEGO. Very "realistic" if you can call it that. It stays true to the movie as well as the toy and even adds a hint of humor.
Audio: Cartoony to say the least but what can beat Star Wars sound effects and music? The beautiful mixture of Skywalker Sound to deliver yet another masterpiece in the sound department.
Suggestions: Keep up the good work!
Overall Score: 7.0 / 10
Jet Set Radio Future
Overall: Very original and unique game that puts you in roller blades and let you roam the streets doing sick tricks and sharing your artistic skill with a spray paint can. Hours of fun just waiting to be unleashed.Gameplay: Good gameplay for the most part. Sort of hard to learn how to completely control your character and make it seemless that you know how to skate.
Graphics: The cel shaded graphics makes this game what it is. Very cool how things look and they did an excellent job at selling this very rare visual display.
Audio: Ok in sound, nothing special to talk about here. Just need enough characters to get the minimum of 100.
Suggestions: Good game, could have made it better.
Overall Score: 7.0 / 10
Halo 2
Overall: Very great FPS but sadly, not worthy of the name Halo. I don't know what compelled Bungie to butcher a classic game by changing the engine and making it noob friendly but it did not serve justice to the millions of harcore Halo fans. A truly overhyped flop of a game.Gameplay: Pfft, if you can even call it that. The sword is probably the worst thing to ever happen to the MP part of the game. The game is all about weapon control and all because they took out the pistol. Facinating how important that one weapon was. The closest thing is the BR but MM won't have it as the default so please, stick to customs.
Graphics: Very good game visually but certainly does make up for the game's flaws. Honestly, all the maps look amazing and deserve recognition for the designers.
Audio: Incubus on the soundtrack? You can go wrong. The sound is one of the most appealing aspects of the game. And with the new 3-D sound engine, it is a treat for people with surround sound.
Suggestions: "You need to take a step backwards to take a step forwards"-Plewis
If you want to win back the fans of Halo, make Halo3 a true sequel worthy of the name "HALO"
Overall Score: 9.0 / 10
Halo: Combat Evolved
Overall: FPS at its finest. Halo brings everything you want, need, and will ever dream of in a FPS. The weapons are all interesting and brings different gaming elements to the game. The vehicles are all a treat to take for a spin. The plot is full of twists and turns and it never lets your adrenaline stop pumping. Halo is a must have for EVERY xbox owner because it will be a classic for years to come. Halo:Combat Evolved? HA! Halo:Gaming Evolved!Gameplay: Almost perfect gameplay. The controls are a dream to work with. Plus you are able to adjust them to your liking. The weapons are all different and unique. The pistol has changed the game completely especially in MP. The MP is absolutely flawless. LANS are a blast and it is a shame that the game is not LIVE compatible.
Graphics: Visiually, it surely does not push the xbox to its limits. However, it is surprisingly one of the best looking games for the xbox. The explosions are cool and guns firing look semi-realistic. All of the MC's look phenomenal and the Marines as well as enemies look good as well. The MP maps are what stand out the most as a true accomplishment for Bungie.
Audio: Truly the best part, I think. The musical score for the game is absolutely amazing. The music is perfect for the game and it sets the mood while entering at perfect times to make certain parts of the game more exciting. Also the sound effects are awesome. Making a nade blow up and actually hearing the sound of sand falling down as a result just brings chills to my spine. Truly a masterpiece.
Suggestions: This game just screams sequel.
Overall Score: 10.0 / 10
Fuzion Frenzy
Overall: Surprisingly, I enjoyed the demo on my Halo disc more than the actual game. But it is one of the best party games out there for the XBOX. Gameplay: Simple, and easy enough for everyone to enjoy. All of the mini games are interesting and very interactive.
Graphics: Beautiful to look at. The lighting is impressive but not the best looking game for the box. The characters are all unique and look nice.
Audio: Ok sound. the music is what stands out the most. nothing too impressive though. it could have been better in this department.
Suggestions: sequel
Overall Score: 8.0 / 10
Full Spectrum Warrior
Overall: A very cool game that puts you in control of two squads of 4. Strategically move them through cities keeping in mind that they need to have cover and yet be able to see the enemy. I think this game is really original. Like a mix of Command&Conquer and Ghost Recon. A must have for any military game fanatic.Gameplay: Very clean but at times, difficult. Once you become a master, the game is almost flawless. I like being able to control the Alpha and Beta units and sometimes Charlie, depending on the mission. The stratedgy involved in the game is something that gives this game its unique quality. The game makes you think ahead but it always keeps you on your feet. I like how it gives you the idea of how difficult it is for the military to move through unkown, hostile, foreign cities.
Graphics: Very nice and appealing, visually. I like the graphics very much. The realism is, dare I say, unreal. The camera control could have been better though. The attention to detail is amazing and something that is easily recognized as a point of excellence.
Audio: The sounds of guns firing and explosions all over this game. Very cool and it adds the intensity the game needs. The soundtrack was mediocre at best but nothing too off-landish.
Suggestions: Sequal.
Overall Score: 9.0 / 10
Freedom Fighters
Overall: I think that the idea for the game was really good. The plot could've used a little more work though. Being able to control other "freedom fighters" was just sweet. All the weapons you could use had a good variety. Plus the game is even more fun with game cheats! Overall, the game was a hit.Gameplay: Very good gameplay. Easy to use and easy to learn how to play the game. The plot was the only downfall. The game also got too hard at points and a little too repetitive.
Graphics: I liked the graphics. Very clean explosions and player models. The freedom fighters needed more variety though, cause there weren't many "main" characters. Very appealing visually though and a very good job creating a city that was in the midst of war.
Audio: OK sound. Not something that stood out much. The music though had the right feeling for the mood they needed to portray.
Suggestions: Less repetitive and more variety.
Overall Score: 8.0 / 10
Fable
Overall: A great story of how a boy becomes a man and seeks out vengeance on the bandits that destroyed his town and killed his family. Very pleasing game but it did have its down sides.Gameplay: Very cool gameplay. The perfect mix of swordmanship, archery, and magic. I really liked how many styles you were able to fight with. Plus every decision affecting your future. Take the path of the good or the bad. Though freedom was limited, the freedom of choice wasn't which was a plus. You decide your destiny and you face the consequences. I would have liked a more variety in enemies though.
Graphics: AWESOME graphics. Some of it was absolutely beautiful and it had me awestruck on how nice everything looked. Then environments, the characters, everything.
Audio: Very detailed as far as sound goes. You could hear birds chirping, waves crashing, leaves rustling, and the townsfolk conversing. The sound was just so pleasing to the ears and it forced me to get more into the game.
Suggestions: Don't overhype, especially if you can't back it up. Next time, actually complete the game and don't tease the players with things like ships and paintings of dragons that you never fight. Shame on you for not completing the game for the XBOX were it truly belongs!
Overall Score: 9.0 / 10
ESPN NFL 2K5
Overall: Very well made game and a steal at 20 bucks! Everything about this game is remarkable and it is the best NFL game to date. Madden can suck on its nuts. The game is just made really well and with the ESPN presentation, it almost makes me feel like I'm at the stadium. The incorporation of the whole crib thing is just straight chillin. Being able to face celebs and their dream teams is just a treat and all you need to do is customize your crib with your favorite team's merchandise and BAM! you have yourself a pimpin pad! The crib, franchise mode, and the mode where you try to re-enact the historical moments are just all so fun and entertaining. It is great in franchise mode cause it has you plan out everything for the week before the big game on sunday. It is just insane on how in-depth it goes. All the way to rehab of your players!Gameplay: Awesome gameplay. In-game play is really fun and easy to learn. I actually look forward to playing on defense because it is always so challenging to stop the run/pass and trying to cover your ins and outs. Audibles were extremely handy for me in the game and it just feels great when you call the perfect play and you are able to make the pick or stuff the back for a loss.
Graphics: Probably the best thing about this 20 dollar game is the graphics. All the animation of tackles, the stadiums, and the players are beyond accurate. All of that with it presented in ESPN format just made the whole gaming experience incredible. One time I actually had a game going on spectator mode to predict a Monday Night game and it looked so real, my friends came over and they actually thought the game was on. It took them a while to figure it out and I had to prove it to them by pausing the game.
The pregame shows and half-time repors plus the Sports Center was always a treat to watch and it added just the right touch to make the gaming experience that much more enjoyable.
Audio: The sounds make the game seem even more real. The stadium sounds are just lovely and it seems like you are actually there, especially if you have surround sound! The commentating was really good too and it did get a tad repetitive at times but still great.
Suggestions: WHY DID YOU MERGE WITH EA? WHY!?... sell outs!
Overall Score: 10.0 / 10
Dead to Rights
Overall: A story of pain, revenge, and just making your enemy's mother wish they were never born. This game is awesome and somewhat similar to Max Payne yet it is able to pull it off by making its own identity. Everything about the game was incredible and it was truly an experience that any and every gamer would enjoy.Gameplay: A slew of weapons at your disposal, a faithful K-9 at your side, and enough moves to make enemies think twice before getting to close. Plus, adding to your arsenal, BULLET TIME! I like how it was incorporated into the game. The hand to hand combat was just excellent and it actually took combos to be effective and not just button mashing. Then add in Shadow, your furry friend, and you are unstopable. The levels were so fun to play but at times, it could get repetitive(especially with the enemies). Minigames can be found througout that add the break in the action that the game needs and at just the right times. This game has the perfect mix of each element to deliver an extremely fun game to play.
Graphics: Nice visuals througout the game. The enemies were extremely repetitive. It seemed like they only made 3 different models and then added bosses. In spite of all that, the cut scenes were insane. The graphics in these clips looked almost real at times. They all provided for some exciting and adrenaline pumping moments. Sometimes I just put the game in to see how sweet some of the clips are.
Audio: The guns could've sounded more realistic and most of the sounds sounded very acoustic. Not really my pot of tea. As far as the music goes, it could have been better. Some levels had crapy music but others had some upbeat and "in the moment" type of music.
Suggestions: Good luck with the sequel, although I don't really know what story you have for it...
Overall Score: 8.0 / 10
Dead or Alive 3
Overall: Intense fights, hot chicks, and great graphics await you as you plop this game into your box. Be prepared for some a really nice experience of fighting and handing someone's !&%$@#* to them on a platter. This fighting game is a must have for any person who likes those really sweet arcade fighting games.Gameplay: A remarkable experience playing this game even as a beginner. Mastering every move for your favorite character is no easy task but a task that is enjoyable and at the same time, challenging. Be sure to find the best character for you and get to know him to truly unleash his potential power and strength.
Graphics: Very nice visuals are provided for each stage you play at. There is always something new to see in each one and there are enough so that you dont get tired of them all. The graphics on the characters themselves are also impressive. Sleek and sexy!
THOSE BABES ARE HOT!
Audio: Not too bad as far as sound goes. Could've used a little better music and some the character's sounds were kinda just there.
Suggestions: Keep up the good work.
Overall Score: 10.0 / 10
Dance Dance Revolution: Ultramix 2
Overall: This game is so addicting and so much fun. Probably the best party game out there for any console. I like how you can spend hours playing the game with friends without having to pay the arcade a dollar each time. It requires intense foot-eye coordination and stamina. Even if you aren't into the whole dancing thing, it is a great workout to get yourself into cardio excercises.Gameplay: Really cool gameplay. You are able to do it arcade style or go head to head with up to three other friends! Fantastic! Even better, you can go on LIVE and face people from around the world. The game itself is challenging and it keeps on making you try each song with a higher difficulty.
Graphics: Nice visuals. Has some japanese anime here and there but it is mostly an abstract VJ. Waves and ripples of colors will make your experience that much better.
Audio: This is all the game is. Sound. MUSIC! The music is very fun and sometimes humorous. The beats will usually go with the music so it really lets you dive right into the game for a great experience. Plus you get to download extra songs from LIVE!
Suggestions: Keep up the good work!
Overall Score: 9.0 / 10
Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
Overall: Grab your favorite plane and create fireworks by shooting your enemies out of the sky! This game totally rocked my socks and met all expectations I had for it. Being able to fly a plane and be a 'pirate of the sky' is just a cool thing. The plot was surprisingly good and almost made me feel like I was part of a movie. The multiplayer is just as rewarding as the single player. Online play is fantastic and very fun. It is like halo in the sky.Gameplay: The single player is just way too cool. I love how you can choose to fly a variety of planes and each have distinct areas of which they are better at that are fit for different situations. The handling on most of the planes were just great. The arial tricks added the right amount of finesse that the game needed to show off and to evade enemies. I also liked how you had to find those wing things in order to 'buy' some planes so that they would be able to use them in multiplayer.
A cool aspect of the game was how you were able to get out of the plane and use different turrets to blow planes and zeps out of the sky. You could even use your own zep as a base cause it had several turrets on top and bottom.
The environments were never repetitive and each made for some amazing and extrememly fun dog fights. Especially on LIVE, things could get pretty interesting.
The developers did a fantastic job that is worthy of recognition.
Graphics: The visiuals were superb. The cut scenes were an absolute masterpiece. The explosions in the actual game were fantastic and it was a joy to be able to go head to head with an enemy and being able to fly through the smoke of his remains. A lot of the situations that were created with the game reminded me of Star Wars and the dog fights that ensued in those movies.
Audio: I really enjoyed the sound effects and the music added the element it needed to give it a sort of cinematic quality. The sound was as amazing as the the rest of the game and it should not be overlooked.
Suggestions: AWESOME JOB! But the single player needed to be longer. Some mini games would have been cool.
Overall Score: 9.0 / 10
Cel Damage
Overall: Cel Damage is a frantically paced, cel-shaded cartoon car combat game. This game is really fun and a great party game that can bring hours of fun. The game is simple yet it has the intensity of watching a fast-paced hockey match. A unique experienced that should be enjoyed by all who play the game.Gameplay: Nothing too fancy. Get your weapon and go reak havoc. Very addicting game that is just too fun and the multiplayer is awesome.
Graphics: Not a fan of cel-shaded graphics but it looked good, nonetheless. The graphics didn't take away from the gaming experience, yet it didn't add any elements to the game. But this is not what makes the game a game so its not a big deal. I liked how some of the environments were interactive.
Audio: A little too cartoony for my tastes but that was the focus on this game. There really is not much more to say about the sound.
Suggestions: Overall a good job but nothing epic about this game. Of course that wasn't your intentions but whatever.
Overall Score: 8.0 / 10
Burnout 3: Takedown
Overall: A unique gaming experience that made me wish I had an extra 50 bucks to spend. I really like the idea of being able to make a car crash to see some really sweet cut scenes and animation. An intense experience that can only be done in a game. Finally, a racing game that brought something new to the table and totally blows my mind how simple yet how fun this game is. I love how awesome this game is to play.Gameplay: High speed racing that encourages 10 car pile ups? What can be better? Easy to learn and even funner to play is always a plus. No matter how simple the game, there is always a hint of strategy that comes with it which amuses me at times. Some of the crashes just made me bust out in laughter cause they looked so outrageous at times. I really am going to have to buy the game sometime soon.
Graphics: This is what makes the game. The cut scenes are out of this world. I cannot believe how awesome some of the crashes are and sometimes it makes me flinch just thinking about how nasty some of them would be in real life. The game just looks amazing and the animation is something to be proud of. Some of the crashes have me busting out in laughter and it made me actually want to crash sometimes just to see how it would look.
Audio: Probably the only aspect of the game that wasn't impressive. The sounds of the crashes were alright but seemed too artifical at times. But there is nothing like hearing the sound of glass shattering as a result of you PWNing your opponent.
Suggestions: Can't wait for Burnout 4!
Overall Score: 9.0 / 10
Brute Force
Overall: This game was hyped way too much. I was expecting Halo 2 mixed with the element of Rainbow Six. I got an ok game that was very repetitive, had no good, plot, and that just wasn't a great gaming experience overall. I had fun playing the game with friends at first but as hours rolled by, I found myself wanting to sleep rather than playing another second of the game. The game frustrated me and the developers just failed to deliver on a really great idea. But I just think that the overhype of this game killed any chance of it being a success.Gameplay: Repetitive. The only aspect I liked was how each member of the squad had a specialty. It brought an element that hasn't been brought before in too many other games. I truly enjoyed the fact that you can have a 4-player co-op. An aspect that should be incorporated more often in games, especially squad-based games. But the gaming itself had little to do with strategy which is essential in squad games. It was just too repetitive and too much about killing.
Graphics: It looked very nice. The visuals are really appealing. The sci-fi environment that was created was just impressive and it was just an awesome game to look at.
Audio: Meh, nothing spectacular. It wasn't good but at the same time, didn't have me scrambling for my ear plugs. It needed work but FPS are never really about the sound so I won't beat them up too badly on it.
Suggestions: Overall, it just needed to be a better game. Get a screenwriter to get you some good plot points and add different aspects to the game like strategy and the fact that its ok to sneak around sometimes.
Overall Score: 7.0 / 10
Blood Wake
Overall: Can someone say 'waste of space'? I really can't remember the last time I played a game that was this bad. I think the the developers had something going here but they just couldn't pull it off to create a memorable gaming experience. There was nothing to make out of the single player experience and the multiplayer was just not something that I would be proud of. Overall, it is average, at best, but I am glad that I did not purchase the game because I know that I am not missing out on anything.Gameplay: This probably stands out as the worst aspect of the game. It is just not fun to play... at all! The game just lacked the x-factor which would have made this game a hot seller, but instead, it is collecting dust on the shelves.
Graphics: I can say that I was a little impressed with the visuals. The Xbox has again delivered on great graphics. The water looks amazing, especially with the animation of the waves. The boats are cool and the explosions were ok. I think that this game looked beautiful but again, nothing that had me in awe.
Audio: It was alright, I guess. Nothing Beethoven would have been proud of. (wasn't he deaf?) Anyway, it was just not something that made the game stand out. The lack of gameplay threw out any chance that I would be able to analyze the sound extensively.
Suggestions: You had something going but just couldn't deliver. Better luck next time.
Overall Score: 6.0 / 10
Blinx: The Time Sweeper
Overall: 4-D gaming at its finest! The ability to control time in a game is probably the best idea ever. It is a shame that the developers did not deliver. The overall experience was mediocre. Nothing had me crawling back for more. It did not take long for me to trade this bad boy in. I had some high hopes for the game but all I got was a lackluster gaming experience in a far too childish setting.I think that this game was just not my kind of game. There was just something missing out of this game that made me want to put it back in its case.Gameplay: Once you get a handle on the controls, the gaming starts to get fun. Yet it is challenging at some points to figure out how to get over the next obstacle, which I happend to really like about this game. The whole time control aspect was something that added a certain degree of fun but the game lacked in plot and replay ability.
Graphics: The best part of the game was seeing Blinx run around in all his glory. The visuals were just fantastic and some of the cut-scence had my jaw dropping. I really like how this game looked.
Audio: Not much to say about its sound. Very absract at times coming from an envirnment which is foreign to me as well as other gamers. Nothing came out of the sound department that stands out in the back of my mind.
Suggestions: Do better for the sequel. Multiplayer?
Overall Score: 6.0 / 10
Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding
Overall: Really an awesome gaming experience. Any snowboarder's dream. Everything about this game was excellent. Career mode could've have used a bit more work but this game was hard to put down. I liked how each sponser had something different that you had to appeal to. It made the game less repetitive and a lot more imersive. It is the most fun I have had ever with a snowboarding game.Gameplay: Really easy to play and straight to the point. I like the amount of skill it takes to pull of some sweet tricks. Getting combos are always a challenge and it is insane how long you are able to jib. I love this game. The tricks are the funnest to pull off. I have yet to get that triple front flip! But I think that some of the tricks have made up names that can get silly at times.
Graphics: Really nice graphics. Some of the best that I've seen on any game on the BOX. It really delivers with how great the powder moves and the player models are awesome. The animation sequences are always a treat.
Audio: Could've used some improvement. It didn't sound realistic enough to actually put you on the snowboard. Too artificial in the sound aspect of the game.
The music library was ok. Didn't really appeal to me much. Did someone say custom soundtracks?
Suggestions: Have yet to play the sequel but will wait for Amped 3! I know it will be great!
Overall Score: 9.0 / 10
All-Star Baseball 2004
Overall: I want the 2 hours of my life back! This game is a true flop. The game did not appeal to me in any way, shape or form. I was happy to finally trade it in for MVP Baseball. Do yourself a favor and don't buy this game. Mostly the gameplay is what drew me away.Gameplay: This was the worst aspect of the game. I couldn't even figure out how to hit the darn ball. Fielding was ok but not great. Pitching was a pain in the neck. I just couldn't bring my self to even playing three games. It just frustrated the heck out of me.
Graphics: This department was good. The visuials were clean, the animation was fantastic. It really did look nice and appealing.
The ballparks themselves were the most impressive. Very realistic and it was great to see some of the attractions at any given ballpark. I especially enjoyed seeing the ones that I have been to.
The player models were to scale and overall the players looks realistic. They did good with the facial aspects. Still could've used improvment though and it didn't come close to pushing the Xbox's limits or capabilites.
Audio: The sound was average. Nothing that made my jaw drop. Everything sounded semi-realistic and the music was proper for the mood and setting. I really enjoyed hearing the sounds of the different ballparks.
Suggestions: Make it easier to play. Don't make the gameplay any more difficult than it has to be.
Overall Score: 5.0 / 10
