Category Archives: Second Look

Why Lego Batman 2 is the Perfect Superhero Game

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Lego Batman 2A few weeks ago I found myself browsing the local game store, and after losing a battle with temptation, I ended up buying Lego Batman 2: DC Superheros. I know what you’re thinking – a Lego game? You play one you’ve played them all, right? Well, yes and no. Yes, this is still a Lego game that appeals to a younger crowd. However, it’s also one of the best superhero games I’ve ever played. (Spiderman 2 fans, forgive me) Put simply, Lego Batman 2 is pure DC comic fan service, and is the best title in the Lego series.

Welcome to Gotham City

By far, one of the coolest elements of Lego Batman 2, and what separates it from other Lego titles, is the inclusion of an expansive open world Gotham. This alone sets it apart from just about any other Batman game, never have players been able to roam around Gotham as the please, and it feels so right. However, this is no Arkham City, so the level of detail is not quite as impressive, but the play space is a bit larger.

DC Superheros

As you can see, the buildings and environment are fully rendered, and not made of Lego bricks. This is actually somewhat important. The dark tone of Gotham City is achieved thanks to the gloomy rainslick surroundings. Only the characters and the items they can interact with are actually made of brightly colored children’s toys.

The Justice League of Lego America

The game’s title isn’t simply “Lego Batman 2″, no the full title reads, “Lego Batman: DC Superheros” which implies two things. One, that this game isn’t just about Batman – two, that the next Lego game featuring Batman will likely be called “Lego DC Superheros 2″.

As it turns out, having old Batman share the spotlight is a good thing, and every DC hero you can imagine can be found in the game, each with their own set of super powers fully intact. Superman can fly, The Flash can run at super high speeds, the Green Lantern has his destructive ring, you get the idea. The huge roster of characters, each with their own abilities, is quite impressive. You don’t see many superhero titles that give you a dream roster like this, and an open city to play in.

Dynamic Duo

Lego Batman 2 is best enjoyed with a friend. The game has co-op support from start to finish, and this includes roaming Gotham City. Player one could be speeding along in the Bat-mobile, while player two soars alongside him in the air as Superman. This is the sort of comic book coolness Lego Batman 2 has in spades. The game isn’t as epic or focused as classics like Arkham Asylum, but gives DC fans a huge amount of content to sink their teeth into. When playing with a friend, the experience is even better than solo, as many puzzles are easier to tackle with a friend, leading to more unlocks for both of you to enjoy.

The Batcave

The Hero Gotham Deserves

Holding Lego Batman 2 back from greatness are occasional performance drops, as well as puzzles that don’t give players a clear sense of direction. There were times where I couldn’t believe that a Lego game had me stumped, only to discover that I had missed some insignificant clue hidden along the way. These problems are frustrating, but they don’t manage to bring the whole game down – even when I was stumped I was focusing on unlocking that next superhero.

Lego Batman 2 is a must play for readers of DC comics, the game is a letter of love to the fans, filled with great voice acting, a deep roster of superheros, and an open world Gotham for players to roam. If you’re a superhero fanatic, what more could you ask for?

[Personally, I'd ask for a Marvel Avengers game. A boy can dream.]

5 Great Games You Missed this Generation

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This holiday, the launch of the Wii U will be upon us, hailing the start of a new generation of consoles. Additionally, its expected that Microsoft and Sony will both be making some sort of next generation console announcement, meaning the next Xbox and PlayStation could launch as soon as Holiday 2013. However, before we leave behind our current crop of consoles, I recommend dusting off your controllers, and pick up a great game you might have missed.

Here are a few recommendations, and this is by no means an extensive list.

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West (PS3, Xbox 360)

In the west, Namco Bandai is known for two things – Pacman, and fighting games. So, when the action/adventurer Enslaved: Odyssey to the West released, it flew under the radar for many players. Ensalved’s best assets are visual – set in a deserted metropolis, buildings over run with vegetation, filled with enemies and characters that charm and bring players in. The game isn’t perfect, suffering from somewhat generic combat, however this grievance doesn’t manage to bring the entire experience down, thanks to the great story telling paired with sharp visuals. Enslaved drew comparisons to Uncharted, though it didn’t have near the amount of advertising and marketing Sony’s hit franchise enjoys. If your looking for a great single player romp that isn’t a sequel, look no further.

Darksiders (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

It’s no secret, I’m a bit of a Darksiders fan, it seems to be exactly what the game industry needs to keep players interested in console gaming. Incase you haven’t heard, Darksiders is one of THQ’s only critically successful franchises, combining exploration and puzzles from the Legend of Zelda, with the brutal action and combat of God of War, and it’s a winning formula. Darksiders never enjoyed explosive sales, and many players have never even heard of the title, yet the game managed to impress enough people to earn a sequel, set to launch August 14th. Darksiders can be found for under $20 just about everywhere – so pick it up, and get yourself ready for what looks to be a great sequel.

Sin and Punishment: Star Successor (Wii)

Its difficult to describe Sin & Punishment: Star Successor, so I’ve decided to include gameplay footage above. As you can see, the game somewhat resembles Nintendo’s Starfox series in terms of gameplay, though it’s far more hectic, and well, punishing. (no pun intended, I swear.) Star Successor is the follow up to the original Sin & Punishment released over a decade ago for the N64, and though the title was praised, it never managed a release outside of Japan. The game was recently featured in Best Buy’s summer of games promotion and sold for only five dollars, which is an absolute steal. If you own a Wii, and like a challenge, you need to try Sin & Punishment. (Bonus: The original N64 title is also available via the Wii’s virtual console)

Alan Wake (Xbox 360, PC)

Does Alan Wake belong on this list? After all, there was a fairly large amount of buzz surrounding the game before it released. So, what happened? Despite solid reviews, and praise from fans, sales didn’t quite meet expectations. However, that doesn’t make Alan Wake any less of a great game. Alan Wake is a game filled with atmosphere, darkness, and suspense. Its a great ride, fueled by a well written story, which is fitting given the protagonist is himself, an author of horror stories.

Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)

If you haven’t heard the tale of how Xenoblade came to America, you’re in for a treat. You see, a group of fans banded together and demanded that Nintendo bring the excellent action RPG to the states. The movement known as Operation Rainfall, was successful, at least in spirit, as Nintendo eventually decided to bring the titles stateside, and that’s a very good thing. Xenoblade is a JRPG that gets rid of slow turn based combat in favor of an addicting real time system. When you’re not battling, you’ll be exploring some of the most expansive locations the Wii has ever seen. Its a great title for those who are in need of a new title for their Wii while they wait for the Wii U to launch.

There you have it, five excellent titles. If you’ve played them all already, then congratulations, you have blazed the road less traveled.

When Control is Key: Mario Tennis Open (3DS)

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The Mario Tennis franchise is one of Nintendo’s most successful sporting spin-offs. Since its debut on N64, Mario Tennis has enjoyed critical success on both home and portable consoles, and the 3DS version marks the 6th entry in the franchise. Though the characters, courts, and game modes may vary with each game, one thing has remained the same from the very beginning – tight, incredibly responsive controls.

For those in the know, Mario Tennis shares similarities with Nintendo’s Smash Bros series. The game is easy for a casual player to enjoy, but can also provide experienced players with an incredibly intense multiplayer experience. The secret? Control. Mario Tennis feels better on the thumbs than any Top Spin, SEGA ALL STAR, or Virtua Tennis game I’ve ever played. Aside from the rather disappointing “New Play Control: Mario Power Tennis”, every Mario Tennis soars in the hands, this includes the latest entry on the 3DS.

Mario Tennis Open embraces its roots while simultaneously opening up to new players. Those familiar to the series will instantly feel at home on the 3DS, the circle pad feels smooth on the court, and the face buttons improve upon the original layout found in the N64 version of the game. If you’ve never played a Mario Tennis game, the touch screen features every available shot, executable with a single tap, removing the need to memorize button combos for drop shots and lobs. There’s also a mode which incorporates the gyroscope for control, and I can’t really recommend it to anyone, it’s far to cumbersome for a portable system.

Mario Tennis Open features the same core gameplay the series is known for, and that’s very good thing. However the defining component for Mario Tennis 3DS is undoubtedly its online multiplayer. Matchmaking takes little to no time, and there is minimal lag once a match is started. Winning matches yeilds unlockable gear for your Mii, such as new raquets and clothing, a drip feed system that takes a page from none other than Call of Duty to keep players online. However, multiplayer is not perfect – there is no doubles match making, and for better or worse, leaderboards reset every month. However, I want to make it very clear, Mario Tennis Open’s online multiplayer is one of the best competitive experiences on 3DS, only out classed by the wildly popular Mario Kart 7.

When Mario Tennis Open released, the game was met with mixed responses from critics. Some felt it was a fine outing for the series, while others lamented the lack of an single player RPG mode, found in early entries in the series. There is plenty of single player enjoyment to be had with this title, but you won’t find it in an RPG mode, or in a lengthy mission mode. Single player has been brought back to its N64 roots, you can simply play tournaments in hopes to unlock new characters, courts, and gear. That’s it. It may not sound like much but consider this. Each match you play unlocks you some sort of new item, win or lose. There are HUNDREDS of unlock-able items for your Mii to equip. Once equipped, you can take your new gear online to better your competitive edge. In this way, multiplayer and single player have come together to form a sort of meta game, one where single player only exists to improve multiplayer performance, its something that I’ve never really experienced before, certainly not on a Nintendo console.

In closing, if you’re a 3DS owner, and you enjoy competitive multiplayer, or are looking for an easy pick up and play title, you can’t go wrong with Mario Tennis Open.