Articles written by A.J. Maciejewski (Page 62)
Minutes Review (PlayStation 4)
It's about time
March 2, 2015 - When a game developer opts for a minimalistic approach, it's always a bold move. However, few have mastered this modus operandi. The question is, does Minutes have what it takes to be a worthwhile experience or should you spend your time elsewhere?
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Dead or Alive 5: Last Round Review (PlayStation 4)
The game that won't give up the fight
February 27, 2015 - It looks like Team Ninja is jumping on the fighting game re-release bandwagon like so many other developers. Within the past two and a half years, Dead or Alive 5 has been through four iterations. It makes you wonder; is it worth getting if you've already played a previous version or is it best to wait for the inevitable Dead or Alive 6?
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Xevious 3D/G+ Review (PlayStation)
Solvalou takes to the skies in 3D
February 25, 2015 - For a shoot 'em up released over 30 years ago, Xevious truly stands the test of time. This collection contains four arcade iterations with the most notable being Xevious 3D/G. Strap in to your Solvalou, we're going on a ride to experience retro arcade shooting at its prime!
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Kirby and the Rainbow Curse Review (Wii U)
Get ready for a roly-poly adventure
February 23, 2015 - As one of the most reinvented video game series ever, Kirby returns in a follow-up to his decade old Canvas Curse. Now featuring some of the cutest visuals in Kirby's history, multiplayer, and more bonuses than you can shake a paintbrush at, is it worth taking a trip back to Dream Land or should you make the little pink fellow restore colour to his homeland all by his lonesome?
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Top 10 PlayStation Vita JRPGs (First Three Years)
Ten ways to skin a dragon
February 22, 2015 - If there's a single genre that stands out on the Vita, it's JRPGs. On this day three years ago, the PlayStation Vita was widely released in North America and I wrote this list to mark the occasion. So, slip into some comfortable cosplay and enjoy this look back at ten incredibly fantastical stories of slaying demons and saving the world. As a side note, strategy games aren't included in this list (sorry, Disgaea).
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Axelay Review (Super Nintendo)
These space invaders sure mean business
February 20, 2015 - There's nothing more satisfying for a retro gamer than discovering an underrated gem. You may not have heard of Axelay, but its perfect combination of tight shoot 'em up gameplay, exemplary presentation, fresh level design, and thrilling boss battles will have you hooked from start to finish. Now that it's available for multiple consoles, being able to experience this old school alien invasion is easier than ever.
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Q*bert Rebooted Review (PlayStation 4)
Some retro games should stay in the past
February 18, 2015 - In a world full of arcade-inspired indies, it's intriguing to see an actual remake of a classic arcade game. If you've played the original Q*bert then you'll generally know what to expect. A few additions and updates help freshen it up a bit for the modern age, but is it worth downloading a copy or is it only for fans? Before we get to the review, it should be mentioned that this package contains the original Q*bert (which is a pretty decent bonus), but it won't be covered in this review since I've already reviewed it here.
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Hyper Void Review (PlayStation 3)
It'll take a great deal of firepower to tame this tempest
February 16, 2015 - Arcade shooters are a dime a dozen but very few draw inspiration from Atari's Tempest. Hyper Void offers plenty of satisfying gameplay that more than fills this gap in the market, but is it worth exploring the void or should you keep your ship docked?
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Top 10 Early Xbox 360 Live Arcade Games
Revisiting the dawn of downloadables
February 15, 2015 - Xbox 360 changed the way console gamers get their fix by introducing Xbox Live Arcade games to the mainstream. Sure, the original Xbox had a rudimentary online store that was launched via a mail-order disc, but Xbox 360 made it easy by integrating a Marketplace into the user interface. Believe it or not, its decade anniversary is this year and I made this list to celebrate. Each game featured here was released within the first couple years and although there are a few remakes, you won't find any direct ports (sorry, Symphony of the Night). Anyway, let's reminisce about a time when digitally distributed console games were fresh and exciting.
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Jungle Rumble Review (PlayStation Vita)
All these primates want is a little freedom, happiness, and bananas
February 13, 2015 - Genre-mixing has lead to both wonderful and disastrous results in the past. Jungle Rumble blends rhythmic controls with strategy elements in an intriguing way, but is it worth monkeying around with or should you throw it away like a warm handful of feces?
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