amphibious_ReViews

Portal  is one of those games that everybody should give a try. It has such a range of amazing elements to it that everybody can take a little something away from their experience, even if they are just watching someone else play. The story is minimal, but hints about what is truly going on are scattered everywhere, and they open up a whole new understanding of the player's situation. That story gets fleshed out even further in the sequel, and it can get extremely intense! Aside from story aspects, the controls are fluid and the system of portals is extremely intelligent and well executed, with the level design complementing multiple strategies, without being simplistic. Portal takes a look at Half-Life 2 's groundwork, and then flips it on its head to create something fantastic and worth every replay; as well as canonically expanding the Half-Life  universe into something completely unanticipated and unprecedented at the time. Although Portal ends up being a pretty quick

I am a big fan of the Final Fantasy series, and that is definitely because of the fantastic first game , but that love is hardly shared for this game. It's unfortunate, too, because it really could have been enjoyable, but there were so many things that held me back from truly appreciating it. The gameplay is simple, with the player invited to swipe down the right of the screen, causing the "heroes" to attack the semi-randomly chosen enemies. Each hero has their own recharge time before they can attack again, making them susceptible to enemy attack (which can defeat multiple heroes within a single hit). That's where my disappointment starts. The entirety of the gameplay is a repetition of swiping and waiting. For the whole game. There is absolutely nothing more to it. What's worse is that the game demands nearly $50 to unlock half of the available content (which is close to the price of a full triple-A title), in addition, there are micro-transactions that

I'm sure that  PAC-MAN  needs no introduction, he is a legend both in the gaming world, and outside of it thanks to cultural references (both good , and bad ). So, in the hopes of saving you the same old spiel, I want to get right down to it.  PAC-MAN  is difficult (assuming you don't know the patterns), but that is what brings people back to keep playing! The most fun I have with this game is finding it at a restaurant or something, and playing it with a group of friends to see who can set the highest score. The only problem is that the quarter-eating machines also tend to have  PAC-MAN 's many spin-offs, which almost always seem to be more exciting. With that being said, they wouldn't exist without the original, and even though it has been improved in many ways in the series' later installments, this classic never really gets old. The number of iterations and recreations also make it pretty accessible, and chances are that every self-respecting gamer has so

I have recently been screwing around a bit with the "twin-stick shooter" genre, and then realized one of my childhood favorites was not only part of the genre, but also an amazing addition to it. I was always familiar with the classic arcade version (thanks to Midway Arcade Treasures Vol. 1 ), but I decided to try out the SNES  version just before this review, and it was quite the joyride. As a little bit of background, Smash TV  is a twin-stick shooter, meaning the character is controlled with one joystick, and shooting is controlled with the other. You play as a competitor in a deadly game-show in which you move from room to room defeating waves of enemies, powering up, collecting loot, and hopefully make it out alive. The game can be played alone, but the difficulty suggests that a second player might be helpful, as well as adding to the fun of the competition. Trying to out-score your partner can add an extra challenge that is worth every life. Besides the fact that

I have played a lot of mobile games in the trademark mobile format, too many micro-transactions, pay to win, ridiculous restrictions (like a pain-in-the-butt energy system)... and I played the crap out of them. For a week. Then realized how bad the game I was playing actually was. Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ  was the first mobile game that I have played using that format, that truly did it right. It has restrictions, but those restrictions are more like areas to grow as you play, rather than money-wasters that hold you back. I feel like I'm truly making progress every time I upgrade one of my medals (the "characters" of the game), or pump up my equipment. For those not familiar with  Kingdom Hearts , it is a series put out by Square Enix , the developing powerhouse behind Final Fantasy , Hitman , Deus Ex,  and much much more. In the simplest sense, the series is an action RPG crossover between Final Fantasy  and Disney , with as convoluted of a story line as they could

After just reviewing Mario Kart 64 , this review may seem a bit redundant, but I feel like this game definitely deserves to be reviewed anyways because it is too under-recognized. Jumping right in, I found that it takes a second to get used to the controls, due to the GBA having less buttons than either of the preceding systems with an MK  title, but after a slightly-confusing minute of button fumbling, the game is surprisingly well built for a portable platform! Mario Kart: Super Circuit  blends together the feel of both of its predecessors (being Super Mario Kart  and Mario Kart 64 ), as well as blending the technology of SMK  with the interface and track style of MK64 , making it into an exciting racing endeavor for one player, or four if you can find the Gameboys . The racing action is smooth, the menus aren't confusing, and the game is of the utmost quality. If you can get your hands on it, I recommend playing a few cups! The first mobile Mario Kart game is sure to please!

I find that Mario Kart is always a top contender for playing with a group of friends, and Mario Kart 64 is where that really started. Sure, Super Mario Kart  was amazing, and it was definitely a pioneer for the racing genre, but it was only for 2 players tops, compared to MK64 's 4 player races and more exciting maps. But enough comparing; MK64  is an amazing experience, both with friends, and alone. The tracks are intelligently designed, and the game is simple enough that anybody can jump in and enjoy the ride (or battle, if that is what you are into). Although some courses can feel a bit redundant , they still manage to be a good time, and worth the 6 minutes of flattening your thumb on the A Button. It should come as a surprise to nobody that this game is fantastic. Although it may be a bit harder to come by than most of the other titles in the series, I believe that it still stands as one of the best. My final words here probably aren't surprising either, but I feel

Donkey Kong, and his nemesis Jumpman (soon to be the legendary Mario) are featured in a very short (in a modern perspective), but extremely addicting game. The platforming is simple and the concept is easy to grasp, but just as you think you have mastered it, the game ups the difficulty and takes you down (at least it did for me). But that just opens the door for you to try again! and again. and again... The success of this game is exemplified even further by the fact that its two most prominent characters have spawned countless other games and have become some of the most iconic characters of all time . Keep in mind when playing the different versions of this game that each have their own quirks and differences, but they are all enjoyable and are worth the couple minutes they take to play. A flash version of the game can be found here (as of 8/17/2016):  http://www.donkey-kong.org/ The game can be purchased for Wii U here (as of 8/17/16):  http://www.nintendo.com/games/detai

Final Fantasy was a fun little game that I started playing for a while on bus rides, but that was all. It wasn't until recently that I decided I should truly delve into the game and see what it had to offer, and I was not disappointed. The first game plays in the traditional RPG style (although it set most of the precedents now known as "traditional"). There is a large overworld and many sub-locations for the player's party to travel to in order to find key items, defeat bosses, and trigger events that will allow for progression through the story. The game revolves around four heroes restoring light to the four elemental crystals/orbs in order to revive the crumbling world in which they live, and such a quest will not be short of challenges! I played the GBA version over the original  NES  version because I would have easier access to the sequel that way (same cart and all), and I am glad I did. The interface was gorgeous and everything fit together so nicely,

I haven't been doing reviews outside of my 1001 games list yet, but this game is a perfect reason, in and of itself, to change that up a bit. Transmissions: Element 120  is a Half-Life 2 mod that brings so many new mechanics and environments to the table that it feels like it could be something completely new, yet it still feels like a professionally-built entry from the Half-Life  series. Every step of the way I found myself completely immersed in the action, the puzzle and everything in between - seriously, there is so much that this game has to offer that I had never seen before. I have played mods that just alter what is given to them, creating something perfectly enjoyable, but this game takes it so much farther, adding a new weapon, new assets, a completely original soundtrack (that is phenomenal, by the way), all-new mechanics, and still pulls it together so perfectly. Transmissions may be a bit short, but that doesn't mean it is bad in any way, shape, or form. It d

World of Goo is a charming game that is so so much more than it seems it is. It introduces itself as a cute little physics-based puzzle game in which you use goo-balls of different varieties to build towers to oddly located tubes in order to complete a level, but through toying with the secrets scattered throughout the levels, and working through the unique levels, it becomes apparent that it has much more to offer than just pristine gameplay. The problem is, anything I let slip about what truly completes this game is one less thing to be appreciated by playing it. The most I can say is this: With the combination of a charming (and occasionally disturbing) art style, an unfaltering control-to-technique pairing, music set perfect to every situation, and a surprising amount of story to back it all up, this game is one that shouldn't be missed, and if you are reading this right now, you probably have something that you can play it on. Get to it! Have some fun, and when you are don

When it comes to war-themed-hat-simulators, this is the best there is. If you were to combine the amazing gameplay that I raved about with TFC , a violent but hilarious sense of humor, a completely unnecessary (but surprisingly awesome) backstory, and hats, lots and lots of hats, you would get Team Fortress 2 ! Valve 's beautiful triumph of free-to-play gold. The real excitement in this game comes out of the many game modes presented to players. Each game mode brings a new feeling or possible set of tactics to the table without ever letting players get lazy. The goals often require a lot of teamwork and some self-coordination, but never ever seem to crazy or too out of hand to be fun. The achievements are also a fun touch, with there being 518 of them at the time this was written, and each of them pushing the player to spend some time improving themselves... or doing something utterly ridiculous (and often hilarious). Overall, this game is a great time-waster, and I definitel

 I have a long and delightful history with the Plants Vs. Zombies franchise, starting with the Nintendo DS , crushing Dr. Zomboss like no tomorrow, and growing the Tree of Wisdom into a behemoth of unparalleled proportions. But that was a long time ago. Since then, the series has branched into a sequel, a Facebook  game, two shooters, and soon a mobile card game! And this franchise hasn't been growing for no reason, either. Plants Vs. Zombies  starts out as a fun take on the tower defense genre, but it is much more than just another time waster. The combination of exciting gameplay, crisp art, goofy humor, and a slew of mini games and achievements that keep you playing make this game fresh and fun no matter how much you play it. And for the low, low price of FREE on mobile devices, there is almost no reason why it shouldn't be in your pockets at all times. I may sound like I am trying to market the game in this review, and that is because I am. Not because I'm get

This is my all-time favorite kind of multiplayer FPS action. There is a goal, and the only way to get to it is a wild, chaotic mess of flying bullets and a fast-paced, shoot-die-respawn-repeat experience. It brings me memories of Halo: Combat Evolved online split screen, but with a class system perfectly eased into the experience, giving each player an important role in guarding flags or leading the carnage. But one of the most redeeming qualities is the incorporation of player-made maps, textures, and other oddball additions to each and every server, allowing for a new adventure every game for server-surfers like me. This game can be picked up for only $5 on Steam, so if an exciting online onslaught of shooter madness is something you are craving, I can barely recommend anything higher than this. Unless of course you have the Halo: Master Chief Collection , in that case give Combat-Evolved online a fair share of your time as well. The game can be bought at this link (as of 4/

What is there to say about this game anymore? Everyone knows what it is, even those who have never played a video game in their life. It is an icon in nearly every sense and I can't really say anymore than what has already been said, so what I will say is that I am surprised that I enjoyed the game as much as I found myself enjoying it. Even today this holds up as a solid entry to the video game industry, and everyone should give it a  shot at least once.  Their is a free remake version that can be found on the bottom of the post, so those of you interested in playing pong for a minute or two should check it out! The game can be found in a collection for PC at this link (as of 10/15/2017):  http://store.steampowered.com/app/400020/Atari_Vault/ The game can be found in a collection for Android at this link (as of 10/15/2017):   https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.atari.mobile.greatesthits2015&hl=en The game can be found in a collection for iOS at this

A great start to my journey down a long road of games I have to play, The Oregon Trail by MECC (The MS-DOS version in my case) is a thrilling adventure, and requires a mixture of skill, strategy, and luck. In my infinite pride, I must brag a little bit that I made it all the way to Oregon on my first try, but it was no cakewalk. I lost a daughter to typhoid, wasted months on the road hoping our collective health would improve, and shuddered every time a river crossing came within view. I played as a carpenter, so I had just enough money for a frugal trip, ending with a solid $6.00 of the $800 I left home with. Overall, I am glad to say that I have endured the experience, and I feel like I am a better gamer because of it, but I don't plan to revisit this one for a long, long time. I recommend that anybody with an hour to burn gives this adventure a shot, but it definitely isn't for those who want to put relaxation and casual-gaming together. The version I played can be