Review: Halo Wars

Although Halo Wars has had a mixed reaction from critics due to its simplistic and casual gameplay, its approach to RTS is a refreshing perspective to an aging genre. And in the end, it might just spur a new breed of enthusiasts.

Real Time Strategy games’ disposition in the industry has generally been stuck on the annals of geekiness and the hardcore. Hardly can you find an RTS in the hands of a console gamer as the genre has relatively been home to the PC where a mouse and a keyboard offer the flexibility and free-reign movement console gamers sorely lack.


Revered RTS franchises the likes of Red Alert, Age of Empires, Starcraft, and Warcraft have all sold millions of copies. And some have even spawned spin-offs that later on became living and breathing cash cows (World of Warcraft). Just recently have we seen ported PC RTS games grace the current gen of consoles, Command & Conquer and Battlefield Middle Earth 2 have both seen the light of day on the 360 and PS3. Fairly good reviews, however, the cry for a more streamlined and simplified control scheme intensified… until, Halo Wars.


Halo Wars’ control scheme is quite revolutionary. The now defunct Ensemble Studios has done an exquisite job with how the game smoothly throws you into the heart of battle. The delicate approach to details is likewise a worthy mention. As a big fan of Halo, to witness the fluidity and precise depiction of vehicle stalwarts makes me drop a tear or two. Amazing on how faithful Ensemble was with regard to the nose-bleed accuracy of animations, audio, and aesthetics of the Halo universe which Bungie so originally and passionately conceived.


Furthermore, the cinematic cut scenes are just stunning, incredibly entertaining, and epic in nature. The visual orgasm is unequivocal, it’s that good (kudos to Blur Studio).

You’d be hard pressed not to appreciate the quality and production value this title offers. Halo Wars easily outshines any other console RTS before it and will serve as a benchmark for future titles in the genre. If you have an unflinching fascination of the Halo universe, invested hours reading the novels, and playing through the FPS trilogy, then this magnum opus deserves an outright purchase.

Killzone 2 = Halo Killer

Killzone 2 has proven to be more of a PR nightmare for Sony than the glorious savior its been hyped up to be. However, it seems the tides are turning as the first batch of reviews (print and online publication) have consistently praised the game's visuals and atmospheric gameplay.

To actually play the game would be another issue, but seeing the trend in the world of PS3 post MGS4, Sony might have the perceived Halo Killer its been looking for.

576KByte Mag Reviews Killzone 2

Graphics: 5 (out of 5)
Playability: 5 (out of 5)
Lasting Appeal: 4 (out of 5)
Music / sounds: 5 (out of 5)
Overall: 9.7 (out of 10)

Review: Fallout 3

It’s been nearly a decade since I last traversed through the wastelands of the immersive post apocalyptic world of Fallout. However, I couldn’t stand the depressed theme and overly black humor. Perhaps I was too engrossed with the much kinder and fantastical world of Baldur’s Gate which was also released in the same year.

So there I was, faced with two RPG behemoths, I chose Baldur’s Gate (it was and still is a staple title on my list). And if I was again faced with the excruciating choice between Fallout or Baldur’s Gate, I’d still choose the latter.

But this isn’t about the strength of one franchise against the other. It’s about the sudden rebirth of interest for the global nuclear war milieu -- this random curiosity maybe attributed to my, ehem, more psychological and emotional developed state.


Seriously, the appeal of the title and its core game principles surely attract north of the male demographic. A decade ago, the whole nuclear milieu just sounded dull and ridden with ennui, but now that I’m more assimilated to world events, the undying prospect of a global nuclear showdown, and the ever-existent civil unrest – as an individual, I’m more appreciative and intrigued of the ‘what if’.

The journey through the wastelands rendered so gloriously on next-gen platforms is a direct simulation of the ‘what if’ and answers so willingly the more captivating inquest of ‘what happens next’.


The constant questions may linger and yet navigating through the Washington DC ruins answer most of the questions. Moral choices abound in the countless conversations with post nuclear survivors and inhabitants. It’s combat system (V.A.T.S) through the utilization of a paused-based combat approach, governed by the available action points, and coupled with the visceral and morbid outcome of direct hits give gamers a realistic and satisfying combat experience.

Bethesda’s ownership of the franchise bore cringes and a myriad of recognitional nodding. The abhorring experience I had with Elder Scrolls: Morrowind were existent in some pockets of gameplay, however, the title was carried through till the end by the franchise’s rich history and well-conceived world.


The ultimate irony after completing Fallout 3? It’s a gratifying fiction but one I wish not to cross beyond its 'fictional limits'. And that’s the epiphany, wonderful and satisfying as it is, for a devastating nuclear war to occur, humanity’s optimism for a better tomorrow and its aspirations for a higher echelon of morality and sustainable peace would be recklessly lost.

Review: Fable 2

A disappointing 20-hour medieval tour of fantasy imagery, Fable 2 comes to an abrupt halt. An RPG at less than 20-hours, preposterous you say? Indeed, an outright blasphemy to the conventional 30 or more hours of quests and slaying in a fictional world.

Fable 2’s length is baffling and inconsistent to the tried and tested gaming hours games in this genre have. By and large, a Western RPG has been known and expected to render at least 27 to 30 hours of gaming.


Granted, after the main story arc reaches to an unsatisfactory conclusion, you can continue and bask at your achievements and properties you’ve acquired throughout Albion. However, the social gimmickery of having your own family, multiple wives, properties you’ll have rented and redesigned – are all a bit… dare I say, superficial?


Lionhead Studios should’ve developed the plot further, pushed the envelope, flirted with political intrigue and conspiracy -- twisted the arc a bit. Regrettably, the storyline leans to outright mediocrity – tales of retribution have been squeezed for all its worth.

Perhaps the studio could've borrowed ideas on plot pacing and writing from master RPG storytellers, Bioware (Baldur’s Gate and Mass Effect). From there, Lionhead could have possibly woven a story of Albion political malice and an epic battle between multiple inhabitants within the world they’ve so geniusly crafted.

But alas, gamers are presented with a predictable story arc and a disgusting final bout -- seriously can't stress enough this glaring disappointment.


Combat and character development are fulfilling and satisfactory. Spell attacks (in Fable they call it ‘Will’) is a sight to behold, especially when you’ve maxed em' out – they can get 'really' powerful, dealing massive damage to your opponents.


Won’t go through the graphics and audio, for both score fairly well. The major gripe for any plot driven gamer, and most console RPG gamers for that matter, would be Fable 2’s perplexing approach to its plot.

Clearly, Fable 2 is a solid title and will sell by the millions just like its predecessor. But by overlooking the most integral aspect of any RPG -- a heavy plot with the obligatory twists and turns expected from an epic journey -- Lionhead missed a clear shot yet again for its crown jewel to reach classic status.

Comeback Kid

image source: teamxbox.com

Pure ecstatic 360 gaming has been consistently tingling my gaming cortex for the past few days. For a mere two grand of my motherland’s battered currency, my senses have been orgasmically treated with high levels of audio-visual stimulation. And to top it off, my girlfriend chose to play along this trance-like gaming state. Gears of War 2 has become the root of unforgettable bonding moments.

What amazes me though is the rage that explodes from my partner when Locusts storm her with virtual ammo. She stomps away from the screen, declares to the world she had enough, and yet after a few agonizing seconds, she timidly returns to her seat, picks up the controller and again wages a desperate war against the endless hordes of mankind’s threat to its existence (well, as far as the game’s premises go).

image source: teamxbox.com

Gears 2 is a joy to play, especially in co-op -- as attested by a 3-day action-packed gaming session. The 360’s been reborn, and have brought great joy and entertainment in the confines of our humble place. Welcome back home my 360, we’ve been apart for far too long. May your stay be pleasant and your functional life be extended and pray that the red lights of death not lay upon you (till a new version of 360 comes out).

Afterthought: Mass Effect

This is crazy, started on my third playthrough with Mass Effect - Bioware has simply outdone themselves. Highly addictive gameplay, riveting storyline. Haven’t been ‘stuck’ with a Bioware game since Baldur’s Gate came out back in 1998 for the PC. Although a bit shorthanded on game length this game really takes a life of its own.

Whatever other well known reviewers say bout the game, giving it a measly above average grade, this game would stand the test of time. I simply can’t wait for the other two iterations (its a planned trilogy) whether it be a multiplatform game or not.

I’ve been reading a lot for the past few weeks with regard to the sex scene within the game - an utter overreaction by Fox Network and concerned ‘parents’. Videogames tagged as a medium of entertainment targeted at kids is so early 90s. Let me guess, groups calling for the crucifixion of Bioware and EA are the same bunch of people who desired Midway’s demise back in the early 90s when Mortal Kombat was released for the SNES and Genesis - a bit of an exaggeration, but hey, still the same argument.

Gamers can’t simply agree more with EA mentioning that compared to what Mass Effect visually presents on screen, FOX apathetically exhibit more of that through their various raunchy collection of TV series.