"The" Tre Calvin's Favorite Game Series Is Evolving TO!?!?!??! Pokémon

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For me, the love story and conversation for best game series began roughly two to three years ago. It might even have been four now, but I’m not positive about the details. A lot of my good friends were playing a ton of Nintendo DS, and to say I was jealous would be the world’s biggest understatement. 

Most of them religiously played Pokemon, and I’m not gonna lie; I wasn’t even remotely excited. I mean seriously, a turn based children’s RPG with no real storyline? Yeah, count me out. So naturally, part of the conditions of me obtaining my first DS included the play-through of all Pokemon games. It’s an agreement I still haven’t fully met to this day (sorry guys).

I started with Pokemon Soul Silver. On paper, it was the most one-dimensional, straightforward games I’ve ever played. There was an amazing lack of storyline, loads of cute monsters, half of which I never intend to use, and an end game that apparently ends with me getting a bunch of legendary dudes that look well... let’s just say silly. I coasted through the badges and elite four in something like 20 hours. 

At that point, in my heart it was one of the biggest wastes of time I’ve ever endured. I’m talking to my good friend Nick one day, and he’s explaining to me that there’s a large amount of time and energy to invest into playing Pokemon competitively, and that folks, is where our love story really kicks off.

Looking at my team that absolutely demolished the Elite Four, I was thinking I’d wreck a few of my friends nice and quick, and they would let me move on to better games. Well, I got my behind handed to me. Before we continue this story, I’d like to note I’m a decent loser. You can learn a lot from your losses, and no real winner never loses, but I was pissed! Who cares that they have played Pokemon since seemingly the dawn of time. It’s a simple, crappy, one-dimensional RPG at best right? 

Right?! 

Oh, it’s not huh? 

The game has more mechanics, silent factors and features, and cool abilities than any game I can quickly remember. Turns out I’d been coasting through the game wrong for ages and I needed to start over. 

 

Training, breeding, nature checking, countless articles, and dozens of losses later, I’d invested well over 100 hours into my Soul Silver file. It’s depressing really. I think I lost 30 or so matches before wracking up a single win. The win was sadly pathetic too. A friend literally built a one-dimensional team and I stumbled into its flaws.

You ever get that odd feeling one win is a cure-all though? I went on a cute spree, assembling a fundamental team that literally re-created Pokemon for me. I still wasn’t feeling it. Fast forward another 20-30 hours of play, and I’m just about done caring about Pokemon yet again. I’ve built what I think is a sweet team. I’m not always winning, but I’m comfortable where I sit. I had nothing new to prove. 

Then I stumbled across Marowak, and this dude is freaking awesome. He’s missing a lot, but he fights with a bone club and he has a bone mask. He was, and is, literally the most badass pokemon ever! My first real Pokemon obsession began.

I will win with this guy I told myself. He’s a baller. Well, my normal winning strike began, but this time was different. I was having a blast. The universal response to my awesome Marowak was an awesome mix of disgust and admiration. He lost a lot, and boy do I mean a lot. He was too slow and defensive, but not defensive enough, but boy could that club hit. And by the way, did I mention he was a bad ass? I needed to fix this!

Thinking back to my old MMO days, I realized I needed the Pokemon equivalent of a support cast to level the playing ground for him. Insert Ninjask, this speedy ninja fly, and Umbreon, a super cute dark themed four-legged monster. If you look into this yourself you’ll see I’m doing Umbreon no justice here. I started to truly love my team!

There’s no true reference to explain its results, but for my own sake I’ll try. You know the old crappy cars in every neighborhood that always gets you where you need to go? That’s the best I got. I piled up a bunch of awkward wins and even more awkward losses, and I was at the peak of my Pokemon fun.

Pokemon Black and White comes. It’s like the one time the prodigy had a really ugly accident baby. I’ve never loved a game and hated its sequel so much ever. It took me 40 hours of playing to get through Elite Four, mostly because I keep nodding off while playing. How much money do these people make? 

They need to hire a better story-writer. 

That games "story" was awful. I put story in quotations because calling it a story is an insult to other stories. With post game, I get to transfer my dudes though, and start competitive with my mates again. The romance not only continues, but grows.

A hundred or so more hours are consumed creating, recreating, scheming, whining and reading. How the hell is this the best gaming series for you one might ask? The process to me was simple. Pokemon to me was the first time ever to me that I endured years of loss passionately. I looked forward to playing, and plotted the best way to accomplish completely mundane tasks with a smile on my face.

 I can’t think of a single game that has a chore factor that I’ve ever looked forward to. I invested 200-300 hours into the game, and I know for a fact that I haven’t enjoyed the games to the fullest. Everything is so cute! There are hundreds of unique monsters for you to catch and level, and competitive Pokemon is more complex than most games I have ever played. It’s a gaming goldmine. If for some odd reason you have been under a rock for ages and haven’t already done so, I highly suggest you pick up a copy of Pokemon and begin your own love story today!

 **Borrowed From Nintendo Magazine**




FUTURE:

Now with the second anniversary of the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo is promising us a brand new story, brand new Pokemon on a brand new platform! 3D! Something that hasn't been done before. Though the battle specs have been in 3D scopes, this game will be in complete 3D! Let's get the training and breeding beginning so we can destroy this new game!




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By: "The" Tre Calvin

Replay Value: Infinite

 

Tyler Comp's Favorite Game Series Is The Most Naughty Teen Game, Uncharted!

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            Naughty Dog started off its career by making Sony exclusives their most famous being Crash Bandicoot and Jax and Daxter.

When Sony had sold Crash to Activision nobody could have guessed what masterpiece Naughty Dog was going to create next, but when they released Uncharted Drake’s Fortune in 2007 they truly out did themselves.

 Uncharted: Drake's Fortune:
 
The first game while rough around the edges brought something new to the table that had never been implemented before. This game changed the way stories were to be conveyed in the video gaming industry with gameplay and cut scenes seamlessly blending together to keep the action going and keeping the player involved into the main character. It also made one most iconic Sony characters Nathan Drake who is a mix between Indiana Jones and Laura Croft which sounds just fine to me creating a character that has dimensions and with the vocal talents of Nolan North really feels alive.


The gameplay is also exciting with active plat forming while in fire fights and a simple melee system makes combat fun and engaging. However, though the most gripping and important part of the Uncharted games is really the stories they tell, the characters we go to love, and the great set pieces that we get to climb on.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves:
 

However, while the first game was just an introduction into the series when Naughty Dog came out with Uncharted 2 Among Thieves they really built on all the great things in the first game and improved everything from the storytelling to the amazing graphics.

While the first game was mostly about setting the stage for the characters the second game’s main focus is on the story and character development and it has one of the most amazing beginnings I have ever seen in a game. What makes the beginning of the game so epic is the fact that you really care about the character Nathan Drake and when you see him in such a predicament that is, being shot or in a train that is hanging off a mountain, creates tension that I rarely feel in games. Also trying to make an injured Drake climb his way out of falling train or even hearing every sigh and seeing every grimace really makes the situation and the characters feel more real and alive than they did in the first game.

That also brings me to my next point while it was hard to tell in the first game the amount of attention to detail that Naughty Dog does is amazing. Everything from Drake’s clothes getting wet when he swims and drying in real time to when he puts his hand on a wall for support or covers his face when a grenade goes off nearby. There is also another amazing feature which is that Drake’s  companions either Elena or Chloie are amazingly intelligent, never die, never repeat themselves, and they can ACTUALLY KILL PEOPLE!  

 I have never before seen this in a game where my AI companions are actually useful and improve the experience instead of hindering it. Also while Drake is characterized well his companions Elena and Chloie are really the ones who shine they develop beautifully and you can even see Drake and Elena’s romance blossom instead of it just being there or happening like how a lot of other video games and movies do it. At the end of the game (spoiler alert) Elena and Drake end up together after finding and destroying Shamballa, and it even ends the game on a comical note as well with Drake explaining how Elena’s all most death was not as scary as clowns.

However while the second game focuses on the positive relationship that Drake builds the third game really brings everything down to earth and shows us how Drake is a little obsessed himself with treasure even enough to lose the things he loves.

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception:

**Borrowed From IGN**

The third installment Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception finds us in Britain for a time with Drake and Sully going to a bar to sell off an artifact for some extra cash, but as usual for our heroes this endeavor does not end well and it is stolen by a British woman and her goons.  This is just the start though and while trying to get the artifact back we start to see Drake’s obsession with finding treasure and the amount of danger and harm he is willing to put those he cares about in. this game puts Drake in some truly spectacle set pieces though from a burning mansion, to a sinking cruise ship, falling out of an airplane and last suffering through the Sahara Desert. The third installment also shows us Drake’s past and how he and Sully met which was a great delight knowing that this harden treasure hunter was once a vulnerable kid who had found a father figure in Sully and it explains why they are so alike. It also goes into detail on how Elena and Drake’s relationship failed because when we finally do see her there is a little animosity and regret written all over Drake’s face.

In fact it is after Drake and Elena part ways do we see our hero grow up a bit and realize that there is more at stake here than he first thought. I truly enjoy the third game even more so that the second because it gives us a great deal of info on to Drake’s past and his personality in general. While the second game had some dark moments it feels like the third one really developed Drake as well a flawed human being and not a superhero treasure hunter it made us care for him and want to see his relationship with Elena restored as well as have him well settle down and quit the treasure hunting business. We see in the third game how much the other characters love and truly care for Drake and you as a player start to feel it to and you start to realize that maybe all of us have a little treasure hunter inside of us just waiting to get out.

That is why I feel that Naughty Dog’s Uncharted games are really the best out there because of their excellent skills in story telling and character development.

Future:
Our Honest View and I are very excited for the Last of Us Naughty Dog’s first M rated game allowing them to tell the superb story they may have always wanted to tell. Looking like a mixture of I Am Legend and all the Uncharted's combined.

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Series: Replay Value For All.... EXTREMELY HIGH

By: Tyler Comp

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Uncharted 2: Among Theives
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Adam Zimmerman's Favorite Game Series! THE SHEP...Male and Female Sheps

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I have been playing video games for over 20 years. I started as a little kid playing Super Mario Bros. on the original NES. Over the years I have played hundreds, if not thousands, of different games, and the Mass Effect Series made me do something none of the others had ever done, feel genuine emotions.

Don’t get me wrong, games have made me excited, mad, happy, frustrated, etc., but only during my time with Mass Effect did I actually laugh out loud, have to try my hardest to hold back tears, or feel hatred toward a character. Even if it did nothing else, that alone would make me give my vote to Mass Effect for the greatest series in gaming.


I personally am the type of gamer who never plays through a game twice, even if there is stuff I missed the first time around. Even games that I consider to be in my top 5 all time, like the original Bioshock, never play through more than once. Mass Effect is a different story for me. I’ve played through the first one twice (soon to be 3 and 4), the second one I’ve played through somewhere around ten times, and the third one I’m about to start my third playthrough of.

Not to mention Bioware has always teased us during E3 and other conferences showing a live action trailers. Not the first to use this technique but the best. These trailers look so real and convey all the emotions of a Mass Effect game in under 2 minutes.

The games are experiences that I just can’t get enough of, and if you have never played any of them, then you’re missing out on some of the best on some of the best that gaming has to offer.
The simplest possibly explanation of the story of Mass Effect is that it is an epic intergalactic sci-fi adventure.

In the first game you are trying to stop an alien named Saren from taking over the universe. In the second game you are trying to figure out why the Collectors and Reapers are kidnapping thousands upon thousands of human colonists, and in the third and final entry you are fighting for the survival of all sentient beings in a war against the Reapers I don’t want to get too deep into the story however because my story won’t be the same as your story.


While both your and my stories would share major plot points, the details could be entirely different. Plenty of games have allowed player choices to effect the outcome of a game, but never before had the dozens upon dozens of decisions you make in each game carried over to the next. It’s amazing if you play through the entire series seeing the outcome of small decisions you made in the first game finally come to fruition 2 games later.


The series has evolved from its first entry back in 2007. While all 3 games fall into the action/rpg genre, the first Mass Effect was probably 70% rpg/30 shooter. Mass Effect 2 swung in the other direction playing 70% like a tactical shooter and 30% like an rpg before settling into the middle with Mass Effect 3.

For all three games you and your squad have a wide range of weapons and powers (sort of like magic in other games) at your disposal, and can pause the action at any time so you can tell your squad what you want them to do and more carefully pick your abilities and targets.


After the games have launched, Bioware has continued supporting the games by releasing several DLC’s for each. Each one adds several hours of gameplay, and adds to the already incredible story. The two that stand above the rest for me are the Lair of the Shadow Broker from Mass Effect 2, which reunites you with a teammate from ME1, and the Citadel from Mass Effect 3. Citadel is a trip down memory lane, and lets you get all of your living squadmates from all 3 games back together for one last time. There are also numerous nods to the previous games sprinkled throughout it.

Mass Effect 3 also saw the series first foray into multiplayer. For me it was a great success. It plays a lot like Gear of War Horde Mode, with 10 progressively harder levels before a final 2-minute survival 11th round. One of the things that makes the multiplayer so fun is that you can actually play as all the different alien races that until then had only been non playable.

The multiplayer also ties into the single player campaign. All the original maps were also mission locations in the campaign. Bioware has been great to their fans as well, putting out multiple multiplayer's DLC’s all for free.


Any look back at the Mass Effect series wouldn’t be complete without talking about the ending. Opinions vary widely from it being great to an absolute travesty. I fall somewhere between those extremes. However, this is a case where it’s not about the destination, but the journey. Bioware did release an extended ending that addressed many of the problems with the way they originally ended it though. They didn’t change the ending, just added to it.


In the end, no series is perfect. But between the emotional highs and lows, extremely high quality gameplay, impressive graphics, and arguably the best story telling in all of gaming, the Mass Effect series stands atop my list of greatest video game series of all time.

Future:

Mass Effect a year later has one more DLC which is still being played through. They've saved the best for last earning it's one individual review. 
Also Bioware has confirmed Mass Effect 4 giving us a whole new gaming engine to play on Oculus Rift. Also confirmed is that Shepard's story is over, he like Nolan's Batman is a trilogy so now, we'll have a completely new story to play through and get emotional over. This seems fitting that one of the best gaming series ever should do the classic reboot that most are doing these days. Tentative release date stands at 2014.

By: Adam Zimmerman

Replay Value: Extremely High (For All 3 Games)

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Gabe Roderick's Favorite Game Series! Dun-a-nun-a-nun-a-nun-a-nun-a-BATMAAAAN!

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If you're still wondering what my favorite game series is? It's Batman!
Well more specifically Rocksteady Studios "Batman Arkham Asylum" and "Batman: Arkham City".

To get into the time the setting both games take place over one hell of a night for Batman respectively. And are about 8 months apart in story making many references in the sequel to it's predecessor. (SO PLAY THE FIRST ONE FIRST)

Graphically this game is amazing you truly feel like your the Cape Crusader. I enjoyed them so much I had to get Mark Hamil's Joker and Kevin Conroy's Batman. I just had to dedicate my arm to them! IF not my life since I 100% both games on Xb360 and PS3. For both games to 100% across platforms took me well over 6 months of gaming.

You get all the toys Batman gets and of course get to play all the puzzles he must complete with to survive. Since you play as the greatest detective you get a detective lenses on your batsuit so you can find secret passages and stalk your prey. This makes stealth and knowing your environment a must, so take the time to scan EVERYTHING.

The first game is stopping Joker and take back Arkham Asylum. Of course like everything in the Batman series, Joker is truly Batman's adversary. Since you are in Joker's playground (Arkham Asylum) you must defeat many of Batman's past enemies such as Poison Ivy, Evil Croc and Bane that Batman previously put away.

This is a very different Bane than Christopher Nolan's films. This Bane is about 10 times bigger than Batman and packs a punch. Joker of course becomes infected with the Titan Serum which makes him become like Bane. Not to ruin the story but it leaves with a cliff hanger like every good game. NOW the cool part about this game is it's mostly stealth, seeing as Batman is not bullet proof or uses guns you have to be stealthy with how you takedown the inmates.

This can be very tricky at times but with your detective kit and toys it makes the game very strategic and fun! Now there are parts in the game where you can go straight out and attack groups of inmates. Just be sure to use the counter button to counter any attack when promoted to.

The game is very linear in a way you can explore a little bit of Arkham Asylum but it isn't that big of place which is okay because you'll be doing plenty to keep you busy. Such as saving guards, finding and working the hidden Batcave (spoiler) AND my favorite part of the game Riddler Trophies. The Riddler who you never really see in the game has left numerous trophies all over the place and it's up to you to solve and find each other. This isn't a main component of the game but adds mucho replay value and of course you like to 100% games.

NOW 2 years later actuality Rocksteady Studios released the second installment of the series with this amazing trailer.

**Borrowed from IGN**

This game is far different from its predecessor in one major way. It's open world there's about 50 hours of side quest and missions to do helping or trying to fix just about everything in Arkham City. There is so much stuff to explore and find in the city. The city is truly yours.

The difference in story however is, Joker is dying from using the Titan Serum. And now Batman is also infected, giving both limited time to either find a cure or both die together. Eventually you'll have to relie on the help of past enemies which means fighting their enemies since the city is in complete Anarchy.

You'll even be saving many of the guards before different gangs kill them.

The best part about the story is you get to play as Catwoman as well and how she experienced this night of hell. Once you complete the game you get the option to play through again as Catwoman.

Not only is there a huge amount of FREE choice in a Batman game there is some much story into the mystery that is Batman. You'll also play as Robin and see their relationship but also it gives you the idea in a world without Joker can Batman be BATMAN!

Learning about Batman's relationships with Catowoman, Joker, Robin and even Harley Quinn just proves how this is the first Batman game you are truly Batman.

When the game of the year edition came out about a year later I re-bought the game just to get all the extra content. The DLC such as playing as Robin and of course what happened after the game finishes on that fateful night in Arkham City.

Prepare to be saddened, happy, and pissed at the same time. You get such a sopranos ending with Batman saying nothing when the end result occurs. Making you believe the Cape Crusader is done.
WAIT then Rocksteady came out with the best DLC, "Harley Quinn's Revenge." giving players the ending they deserved. Helping find each character find closure with the end result of the main game, in this DLC a majority of the game play is as Adult Robin. **THOUGH WE WERE HOPING FOR NIGHTWING, OR JASON TODD**

Not to ruin the story of this one either but they're even more villains such as Penguin, Freeze, and of course Clayface.

The best part about playing this game was enjoying it a long with the album. This was the first time I played a game along with it's soundtrack. The bands such as Coheed and Camrbria and Daughtry  got to play the game early which inspired the songs they wrote. Daughtry's song "Drown In You" "depicts the story and relationship between Batman, Catwoman and Joker.

NOW: I will get into the future of the game series. The ending of the second game ends what Rocksteady could progress with. However two new Batman games have surfaced one for 2013 and another for 2014.

The one for 2013 will be made by Warner Bros. another company apart of the game series, this game according to multiple sites will serve as a prequel to the past two games. And a prequel of what the beginning of Batman you may ask, well no. A game based on the night Batman and Joker first encountered each other.

The second game made by Rocksteady will be out in 2014 this game would tell the story of the Silver Age Comics and go into detail the relationships with Flash, Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern. Could this be the beginning of the Justice League? Due to Marvel's Avengers success.

Regardless of two different games I don't care, I'll play bother because I'll be Batman which is the only important part. Prequel's are the way to go I much rather that than them moving forwarded when Joker (spoiler) is finally gone.





Replay Value: Moderately High (For Both Games) 

By: Gabriel Roderick

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