trivard676It’s been a long and arduous holiday. Most of us are broke and a lucky few of us are still hung over. And some of us just haven’t stopped drinking yet (New Year’s Resolution). What a better time to get re-acquainted with last year now that it’s fresh on the slab? Want to catch up on some of our reviews? Then check out 2010’s RoH postmortem, a continuation of our ‘Recently Deceased‘ article.
Burn, Zombie Burn!
October
Click Here to read our review
It seemed like everywhere we turned last year there was yet another new zombie game reaching its cold, dead hands out from the freshly ground dirt. We’re not saying that we don’t like that, just so long as it’s not long past its expiry date. Burn Zombie Burn is a PC port of the PSN exclusive game that plays much like the other zombie-shoot-em-up, Age of Zombies. BZB players can now get all the console fun on their PC, but it’s advisable to have a gamepad readily available.
One of the main drawbacks of BZB is that the index finger tends to get tired rather quickly – the mouse doesn’t lend itself well to pistol firing. But sore digits aside, BZB is a fun and challenging little romp through an otherwise dark and gruelling zombie-filled world.
Dead Nation
November
Click here to read our review
Speaking of which, Dead Nation is one such world. The PSN exclusive was one of the most highly anticipated D/L only titles (here, at least) since Limbo. While it too is a zombie-shoot-em-up, we loved its grisly and dark nature and heavy online component. While freakishly difficult at times, the allure of being the top monster-masher in our respective countries kept us weeping and sweeping hordes til the wee hours of the morning.
With real-time updates on the stats screen regarding how many zombies have been wiped out worldwide and in your county, and the little ticker on the bottom of the screen, Dead Nation sought to bring us together as a nation to fight the undead. With confirmed voice-chat on the way for the title, we’ll be able to do that a lot easier soon enough.
Our only gripe would have to be that the camera doesn’t get quite as close as we’d been led to believe in the previews, which is really quite a shame.
Dead Rising 2
November
Click here to take a look at our review
I think it’s pretty safe to say that if our kids were bitten by zombies, we’d want to find a cure for them. Whether it were to stave off the infection indefinitely, or so they could spend their final hours destroying the baddies with ol’ Mom and Dad, we’d gladly put our own lives on the line for the betterment of theres. I mean isn’t that what being a parent is all about? Chuck Greene could tell you – as officially the most unlucky gaming dad of 2010 next to Ethan Mars. That’s pretty much the only level we can properly empathize with in Dead Rising 2, as the plot is so full of twists and turns it’ll make your head spin.
But you’re not buying the game for the plot, you’re buying it for the gorefest, and the combo-madness. Fifty-one different combo cards that let you customize your weaponry isn’t something to scoff at. While the game might have a few ticks and flaws, Dead Rising 2 definitely knows how to have a good time with toys.
Castlevania: Harmony of Despair
August
Click here for our review
While fans of Konami’s classic franchise were treated to a superb 3D entry in 2010, the fans who are a bit more traditional were also treated to a gem of their own: Castlevania: Harmony of Despair. The XBLA exclusive not only offered a solid single player 2D vania experience, but it also offered one of the most addicting and satisfying co-op experiences in 2010. And with continued support for the title via DLC this is a game that will definitely keep fans busy until Lords of Shadow get’s both of its announced DLC packs, and hell, maybe even beyond.
