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Tomb Raider Underworld

Published by: Eidos Interactive

Developed by: Crystal Dynamics

Genre: Action

ESRB Rating:

Reviewed by: Justin

The Tomb Raider franchise has certainly had its ups and downs since its initial release in 1996.  The first two games in the series are beloved classics but each sequel after that seemed to get progressively worse.  Things got so bad that Eidos eventually removed the original developer and replaced them with Crystal Dynamics.  The result was a resurgence of the struggling franchise in 2006 with the multi-platform release of Tomb Raider Legend. 

Legend kicked off a new story arc that followed the games heroine Lara Croft as she tried to uncover the mysteries surrounding her father’s lifelong search for his wife after her disappearance early in Lara’s childhood.  The title featured an incredible game engine that gave players a surprising amount of control as they guided Lara around ancient ruins, solved complex environmental puzzles and dished out double handed semiautomatic handgun rounds to the occasional bad guy (or bad animal).

Crystal Dynamics quickly followed up their success in Legend with a remake of the original 1996 game and released Tomb Raider Anniversary for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 in 2007.  Anniversary can arguably be considered to be the high water for the franchise.  It used the Legend game engine to update the gameplay, levels, and graphics of the original classic.  Later that same year Anniversary was ported to the Wii, with a few added Wii-specific puzzles and motion controls.  The title translated well onto Nintendo’s little white console and the future of the series looked brighter than ever.

With two successful “Raiders” are under their belt Crystal Dynamics has jumped right back into the tomb and released Tomb Raider Underworld across all major hardware platforms.  As it turns out Crystal Dynamics may have set the bar for Tomb Raider a bit too high for their own good though.  At best, the Wii version of Underworld simply reeks of a game that was not given enough development time.

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We Love Golf!

Published by: Capcom

Developed by: Camelot Software Planning

Genre: Sports

ESRB Rating:

Reviewed by: Justin

There is little doubt that Camelot Software Planning knows their way around a golf course or Nintendo systems. They are, after all, the developers behind the successful Mario Golf titles (Nintendo 64 and GameCube) and the popular Hot Shots Golf series. We Love Golf! marks their first tee off on the Wii and this time they are hitting the links without the gang from the Mushroom Kingdom. Without a roster of familiar characters to fall back on We Love Golf! is faced with the task of succeeding on its own merit and I am happy to report that Camelot has proved that they, not Mario, are the real charm behind those past golf titles.

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Deca Sports

Published by: Hudson Soft

Developed by: Hudson Soft

Genre: Sports Compliation

ESRB Rating:

Reviewed by: Justin

The Wii has perhaps been more successful than any other console in the history of home video games.  A large part of that success is because of Wii Sports.  Nintendo’s simple casual take on the sports genre has captured the attention of the general public and made the Wii a must have system.  In the great tradition of the video game industry other companies are attempting to jump on board the money train and come up with their own version of Wii Sports.  Deca Sports, by Hudson, doubles the sports offered by Nintendo’s title and sticks to the same simplistic approach.

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My Horse and Me

Published by: Atari, Inc.

Developed by: Mistic / Woedend Games

Genre: Virtual Pets

ESRB Rating:

Reviewed by: Justin

If you ever wondered just what it takes to make a video game that appeals to the pre-teen female audience pick up a copy of “My Horse and Me” (Wii) and prepare to take some notes.  Picture of a 12-year-old girl petting a horse on the cover, check.  Allow the user to customize the color of their horse’s hair, check.  Include grooming and riding in the gameplay, double check.  Throw in a few mini games, one of which requires the player to ride a horse around and collect butterflies, check.

That’s the formula and apparently it’s an effective one.  My 3-year-old daughter has been giggling with delight ever sense the game arrived at our house.  Getting my daughter excited over a horse game may have been easy, but if the game’s developers were going to win me over it would take a lot more than butterflies, grooming, and several different colors of horse hair.

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Wild Earth: African Safari

Published by: Majesco

Developed by: Super X Studios

Genre: Simulation

ESRB Rating:

Reviewed by: Justin

Wild Earth: African Safari was originally released as an educational game for the PC in 2006 (under the name “Safari Photo Africa: Wild Earth”).  Now, 2 years later, the title has been ported over to the Wii with a better name and some additional content.  Wild Earth: African Safari puts you in the role of a photojournalist tasked with finding, observing, and photographing African wildlife though 11 different assignments.

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Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection

Published by: Crave Entertainment

Developed by: FarSight Studios

Genre: Pinball

ESRB Rating:

Reviewed by: Justin

When Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection was released it went completely under my radar.  The video game pinball genre has had a long history of disappointing me, because as a whole they are almost nothing like playing on a real pinball table.  I knew of Hall of Fame’s release, but given my past experience I had no intention of picking it up.  All that changed the other day while I was walking through the video game aisle of Target.  I spotted the game and turned it over to see what tables were included.  Upon seeing the name Pinbot listed on the back of the box the game went from being a pass to a must buy.  I’ve pumped many a quarter into Pinbot in my day, and the thought of having that table in video game form was too much for me to pass up.  Now that I have had some extensive play time with the game I am more than happy to report that Hall of Fame provides a Pinball experience that stops just shy of the real thing.

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Bully: Scholarship Edition

Published by: Rockstar Games

Developed by: Rockstar Vancouver

Genre: Action

ESRB Rating:

Reviewed by: Justin

When Bully was first announced for the PlayStation 2 Rockstar opponents leaped into action to try and block the games release.  It was labeled as being Grand Theft Auto in a High School setting.  The game eventually made it’s way to retail shelves in 2006 and the public braced themselves for the worst.  After riots, shootings, and mass beatings failed to materialize in schools across the nation a few people played the game and it turned out that the label was totally incorrect.  Now two years later Rockstar has released Bully again (with a few additions) for the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii.  Determined to not loose the argument twice in a row opponents have resurfaced and leveled the same tired criticisms against Bully: Scholarship Edition.  Just like in 2006, this Bully (while not appropriate for children) remains a totally harmless and fun filled video game.

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Cocoto Magic Circus

Published by: Conspiracy Entertainment

Developed by: Neko Entertainment

Genre: Shooter

ESRB Rating:

Reviewed by: Justin

Cocoto Magic Circus promotes itself as being “40 mini-games, each more original than the last!”.  After shooting my way through the single player, and putting a little time into the multiplayer portions, I am not so sure that is an entirely accurate description. “1 mini-game with 39 slight variations” hits much closer to the mark.

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Endless Ocean: Dive, Discover, Dream

Published by: Nintendo

Developed by: Arika

Genre: Adventure

ESRB Rating:

Reviewed by: Justin

Endless Ocean is a game that will split the video gaming community into two groups.  There are those that will love it, and there are those that will see it as a waste of time.  If you are a gamer who is looking for action, goals to complete, a compelling story, and things to kill look somewhere else.  Endless Ocean does not deliver on any of those points.  On the other hand if you enjoy the journey more than the destination (or lack of destination) you will find plenty to love about Endless Ocean.

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No More Heroes

Published by: Ubisoft / Marvelous Interactive

Developed by: Grasshopper Manufacture

Genre: Action

ESRB Rating:

Reviewed by: Justin

In No More Heroes you play as Travis Touchdown whose goal is to become the number one assassin in the United States.  On the way to the top you will have to fight the assassins ranked above you, mow lawns, find lost cats, and pump gas.  You know, typical assassin type stuff.  There is also the city of Santa Destroy to explore for collectables.  All of this is presented with unending over the top dialog and style.

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