httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAZYtzqQE6o&feature=related

We’ve come a very long way so lets take a look at the journey gaming has taken us on! This video contains a lot of great consoles and games such as Pong, Space Invaders, Metroid, Mega Man, Battletoads, and many more! For those of you who have been gaming for awhile you will certainly appreciate the video…for those who haven’t you can still get a kick out of watching what used to be cool back in the day.

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Release Date: 06/03/2008
ESRB Rating: Mature
Genre: Action
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Team Ninja

Is anyone up for a bloodbath? If so, you will find quite a bit of pleasure in Ninja Gaiden 2 for Xbox 360. The level of violence in this game is pretty damn high actually. We are talking gushing fountains of blood and people losing arms, legs, and other body parts like its some sort of murder party. If you are in to that kind of thing then this sequel will be sure to entertain you thoroughly. However, if you are like me you may find yourself a bit disappointed in the game. The combat system is still awesome and well defined, but that doesn’t take away from the game feeling like another predictable fighting game.

Ninja Gaiden 2 isn’t much different from its predecessor other than the fact that is probably 10 times for bloody. Without the combat this game would be extremely plain and most likely found in a bargain bin at Gamestop. The AI of the enemies was refreshing to see though. Instead of them sitting around waiting to be attacked…they willingly initiate combat with you and attack with everything they’ve got. You actually feel like you are defeating enemies and forget that they are just mere artificial intelligence drones walking around the game. The combat system and the feel that it gives you is really what carry’s this game. It isn’t an upgrade from the last Ninja Gaiden, but there was nothing wrong with the first system anyway.

I really wish that Team Ninja would have spent as much time as they did on the combat as they did on every other aspect of the game. If they did that we would be playing one incredible game that would live up to the hype behind the Ninja Gaiden series. Sure the game is about a freaking ninja so you are no doubt going to need a solid combat system, but is it too much to ask for better platforming and exploring? Obviously it is because neither of these aspects were treated as needed additions to the game! You start to feel like you are in a box in your surroundings which is not something I enjoy on a next-gen console. If you have played Ninja Gaiden 2 then you know what I mean. The invisible walls that block you from the backgrounds seem to be everywhere and make it somewhat awkward for you to move around. Sure, the backgrounds are pretty but when you feel trapped within them it really takes away from the game. Also, the strange boxed-in feeling you get when walking near ledges is something I would expect in the old school Ninja Gaiden games…not in one for the Xbox 360.

On top of all this you are given quite possibly the worst camera in the history of 3D gaming. Think Mario 64 camera bad (which was really awful in case you don’t know/remember). The camera really complicates things for you…especially the combat. It seems like it wants to either leave you behind or stay behind. You can fix the camera manually with the controller but who wants to deal with that in the middle of an intense battle? Sometimes I think the camera is literally drunk due to the decisions it makes.

For my last complaints I will talk about the unnecessary backtracking the game makes you do, and the story. It really makes it feel like a chore when you have to backtrack to unlock something that you only found was locked a minute ago. It just doesn’t tie it in very well with everything that is going on. The story is bleh…not bad but not great either. In fact, its really predictable and by the end you already know what is going to happen.

However, you are probably not worried so much about the things I have discussed in this review. Most fans of the series will find a way to like Ninja Gaiden 2 even if they have to make themselves do it. The combat system is truly amazing and can be a lot of fun. For everything else…I’ve seen better.

DeVOTeD 2 Gaming Rating:

Looking for cheats and tips for Pokemon Diamond / Pearl for Nintendo DS? No problem check out what we have below!

Action Replay Codes

999X Master Balls Code:

94000130 fcff0000 b21c4d28 00000000 b0000004 00000000 00000f4c 03e70001 d2000000 00000000

Trainer Pokemon Code:

9223B5FA 00002101 1223B5FA 00002100 D2000000 00000000

Rare Candy X 999 Code:

94000130 FCFF0000 B21C4D28 00000000 B0000004 00000000 00000DAC 03E70032 D2000000 00000000

Glitches:

Drifloon Glitch:

If you need to spot or catch a Drifloon you don’t have to wait until Friday to go to Vally Works. Just go to your DS settings and change the date to a Friday find Drifloon save, and change it back.

Duplicte Underground Trap:

This glitch requires two copies of either pearl or diamond. Both players enter the underground. One places all of the desired traps to be duplicated. The other picks them up. Then the first player turns off the game without saving.

Clone Pokemon:
Step 1: Go to GTS at Jublife City.

Step 2: Enter the GTS room. (The part where you connect to the wireless router, wifi connector, etc.)

Step 3: Deposit a pokemon you want to clone.

Step 4: Make a bogus deal for the wanted pokemon. (i.e. Level 100 Abra, either gender)

Step 5: Begin Depositing. (Look at the clock at the bottom right of the message. When it goes around 6-8.5 times, shut down your DS!) Note: It is hard to find the exact timing to shut the DS down.

Step 6: Turn your game back on. (If it has a blue screen that says that your file has been corrupted, that mean’s it’s working.)

Step 7: Continue with the game. (You should appear across the lady)

Step 8: Log into Wifi again. Step 9: Take your cloning pokemon back. Step 10: Check to see if it worked

Evolve transfered Pokemon from the Gameboy Advance games:

Some pokemon need to be traded to evolve like haunter and machoke, or the ones you have to use items. The easy way: If you have a gba game and a wi-fi, deposit the pokemon you want to evolve and ask for a pokemon you are not going to find (like a lvl 5 charizard) and leave it in there for about 24 hours. Take it back and it should evolve.

Fast egg growing:
Get a Pokemon with magma armor and put the egg next to the Pokeon with magma armor. It should hatch in 500 steps

Walkthorough wall glitch:
In the jubilife tv station, where you can decorate pokemon, talk to him on the side. When he asks what pokemon to decorate, press the opposite direction of which you are facing and you will enter room through wall.

Release Date: 05/15/2008
ESRB Rating: Rating Pending
Genre: Shooter
Publisher: Majesco
Developer: Budcat

First off, this new Nintendo Wii title is one of my favorites so far because of the modification tools built-in within it. Blast Works: Build, Trade, Destroy is a clever game that combines a shoot-em-up style game with an object editor that allows you to create your own scenes and levels. It basically gives you the ability to make your own shooter game without having to have any knowledge of programming. Absolutely anyone can use the editor with ease as the layout is really nice. Nothing is hard to do or find so all in all…the object editor can be an extremely powerful tool for those with a creative mind.

Once you begin the single-player game you will be dealing with an interesting way to play the game. What was dubbed as a “sticky blocks” mechanic adds a pretty fun way to kill your enemies. When you defeat an enemy it will stick to you when you hit them. So basically their attack becomes your attack. If the enemy lands on you facing the left shooting bullets…he will continue to shoot bullets to the left for you. This can add quite a chaotic experience to the game once you collect a lot of enemies! The multiplayer mayhem can be a lot of fun as well if you and some buddy’s enjoy this style of game. The party game consists of a Katamari Damacy style of gameplay where you collect every enemy you can…becoming a huge ball of death with enemies blasting away every direction and even you!

Now back to the editor. As I said above, everything is easy to use and create. In fact, you are given the same tools the developers used so you can create your own enemies, backgrounds, etc. Although, for those of you who are artistically challenged you can rely on unlocking lots of pre-made content through the campaign of the game. The creation options are definitely not something you are low on. You can create enemies, ships, level layouts, bullet patterns, and adjust the variables along with them such as damage, etc. I like the editor more than the game itself, but that is because I have a lot of fun designing things to my taste. It’s a great tool to see on the Nintendo Wii, and I hope to see more games like this.

Now Blast Works: Build, Trade, Destroy is a game that won’t appeal to everyone. I understand that not everyone wants to make their own games…even if it is a lazy way to do it. However, if you like shooter games you will still find joy in this game. If you like designing and modding games (or you would love to try) you will find lots of entertainment as well. If you like both well…you are in for quite a treat. This is definitely one of the more creative games to hit the Nintendo Wii so it is worth playing for that if nothing else. I reccomend you give it a try and see what you think. Who knows…this could be the game that inspires you to become a game designer down the road? Either way, its a lot of fun and that’s what really matters.

DeVOTeD 2 GaminG Rating:

Game Title: Spore Creature Creator
Release Date: 06/17/2008
ESRB Rating: Rating Pending
Genre: RPG
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Electronic Arts

SPORE Creature Creator was released yesterday (06/18/2008) and is a pretty cool creation tool. I didn’t really expect too much because well this isn’t a game it’s more of a modification tool for the upcoming and highly anticipated game Spore. Spore Creature Creator proved to be a powerful yet extremely user friendly creation tool that anyone with a PC/MAC and a mouse can sit down and start creating in no time. The interface is very easy to work with since it is using a simple drag-and-drop style. The program doesn’t sell you short on different parts for your creature either. In fact they give you TONS of options as far as customization goes. Are you in the mood for a creature with tentacles? How about giving it 5 or 15 eyes? Tiny or fat? I also enjoyed the fact that you are able to paint your creature with many different unique colors and patterns. The amount of customization and flexibility of Spore Creature Creator is truly amazing. You will find yourself creating creatures for the fun of it, and actually enjoying it for many hours. After you’re done making your creature you can also bring it to life and see how it moves, dances, etc. In literally minutes you can have a creature created and moving around in front of your eyes. I always enjoy sharing things with my friends and fellow internet buddies and if you are anything like me then you will be happy to know you can do just that with the built-in system tools. After you share it you can go to the Spore website and take a look at all of the other creations from other users as well. You can also get your friends or other users creatures and put them in your creator and do whatever you like! This is one tool that truly leaves the creation up to you. The only limit you will experience is your own imagination. Although this is not a game…it is very addictive and a lot of fun to play with. Whether or not you are one of the fans awaiting Spore’s release…this little tool has something for everyone to enjoy.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4Vb_WlDL_c

Check out this interview from Shawn Storc the Senior Producer at Lucas Arts to see what he has to say about the newest Lego installment: Lego Indiana Jones:The Original Adventures. Looks to me like a pretty solid game with a lot of fun action and funny segments. In my opinion you can’t really go wrong mixing Lego’s with Indiana Jones!

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