EGM Review Scores - September 2007 (Lair, Blue Dragon, Mario Strikers: Charged, etc.)
September 2007 egm review scores. it's the issue with all the halo 3 info:
lair: 6.0, 5.5, 5.0
crispin says the combat system is confusing, and the sixaxis controls don't always work the way they should. lock-on system is also jacked.
greg ford says the camera is frustrating in ground combat. the wide open levels hold a lot of potential but ultimately don't deliver
garnett says it's a "frustrating disappointment" with a few bright spots
mario strikers charged: 7.5, 7.5, 7.5
it's not really a soccer game so much as a hockey game with a soccer-like sheen. it's got body-checking, etc. it's "messier," in that it's more chaotic and arcadey than the gcn game. the new "sidekicks" are awesome, and have their own special moves. the motion-sensing controls add to the gameplay, not f*** it up. "over the top but balanced gameplay"
all pro football: 6.5, 6.5, 7.0
ncaa football 2008: 8.5, 9.0, 8.5
stuntman ignition: 7.5, 7.5, 7.0
dynasty warriors gundam: 6.5, 5.5, 5.0
nascar 08: 6.5, 6.5, 6.5
blue dragon: 6.5, 7.5, 6.5
it has neither strong characters nor gripping storytelling, the battle system is "stellar" but unaccompanied by any sort of interesting plot to hang your hat on. bryan is a bit easier on the story than andrew fitch (who had the lead review), and ray called it "safe."
persona 3: 8.5, 9.5, 9.5 game of the month
on the battle system, they say they're "speedy," and that the magic system is "deeply customizable." this game also has a lot of stuff in a school, though--you spend your days trying to score some tail and making new friends, answering class questions, etc. but they say it's a very good thing. also they say the soundtrack is excellent. "all-around awesome"
guitar hero rocks the 80s: 7.5, 6.0, 6.0
garnett says the biggest problem with the game is the most obvious problem with any music game: the music selection. a little too all over the board to really satiate anyone's tastes. crispin says the gameplay is starting to feel tired--jennifer disagrees, but with the caveat that the gameplay is only fun if the music is good. she says it's not.
jeanne d'arc: 8.0, 7.0, 8.0
a plot that doesn't drag, interesting characters, great cut-scenes. owes some gameplay debt to final fantasy tactics and fire emblem, but incorporates interesting twists like turn limits and character transformations to keep things fresh. jeremy says it's a bit simplified though, and bits of the story (particularly the historical aspects) bothered him, and made some of the characters feel cartoony. overall pretty positive reviews though.
picross ds: 8.5, 8.0, 8.0
touch screen interface works great. includes a daily challenge option that is also really cool. one of the best puzzle games available.
brain age 2: 8.0, 7.0, 6.0
heroes of mana: 7.5, 5.5, 6.0
luminous arc: 5.5, 6.0, 6.0
METROID PRIME 3 PREVIEW summary:
- exploration will play a key role, but there will be
more shooting. they describe the "lock-on free shooting" that's been covered in many e3 previews. it's allowed developers to make battles more vertically oriented, which
egm says works well
- so far,
wii controls only add to the experience, not detract.
- the
ship plays a big part in the game. acts as a
mobile save station you can call to certain parts of a level. aerial combat is hinted at by a few options inside the ship, but nothing confirmed.
-
no samus talking, aka confirmation of god's existence
Rumors:
- level 5 is going to announce 4 new rpgs at tokyo game show
- squeenix to start remaking dragon quest games starting with dq4 on ds
- microsoft is funnelling all the best 360 parts to the elite model, which is why lower models crap out more
- next def jam game will be better than icon. ea knows it sucked
- io interactive (kane and lynch) making a kids' game
- next james bond game will use call of duty 4 engine
NEXT MONTH: SILENT HILL 5 cover story, with reviews of heavenly sword, battalion wars 2, eternal sonata, castlevania dracula x chronicles, and i'm presuming bioshock since it's in the wrap-up section, along with madden 2008, brave story, and boogie
Via NeoGaf
Mah Evo IV~
Linear Mode
