Players of the previous Uncharted games will feel right at home when they begin to battle in gun combat. But at the very moment they begin the campaign they’ll be learning how to play out the new and improved fighting combat mechanics that are superb. Because this time you can interact with objects in the area to use, for example when your engaging in a bar fight at the very beginning of the game you can use beer bottles to smash over your enemies heads. The combat also looks more cinematic which they have really emphasised in this game more than in Uncharted 2 as they have included chase scenes. These aspects I really enjoyed as they kept you on the edge of your seat as you wonder whats going to happen next because of the ways the environment interacts with you.

Graphics wise, what do you expect me to say? Uncharted 3 is the best game ever when it comes to graphics. Naughty Dog have done such an amazing job with the visuals, everything just looks so life like and beautiful it makes Uncharted 3 a rich experience, rather than just a video game. Because of how beautiful the visuals are, it’s easy to get lost in the world of Uncharted 3, which makes the game feel as if your tagging along on the journey instead of sitting in your room playing through it using a controller to enable Drake. It also makes me wonder of what Uncharted 4 will look like, mean come on Uncharted 4 is almost certainly in development. But to be honest, I don’t any way Naughty Dog can improve upon the visuals area, but saying this they did tell a white lie back in 2009 stating that they used the PS3 to the most to create the Uncharted 2 visuals, and look how much better Uncharted 3 looks. So what I’m saying is, how much of the PS3s power, have Naughty Dog not took advantage of when it comes to the making of Uncharted 3.

Multiplayer was first introduced to the Uncharted series in Uncharted 2, and I enjoyed it very much which was the sole reason I kept coming back to it after completing the campaign on more than multiple occasions. In Uncharted 3, the multiplayer has been improved on heavily, as you can now create your own hero or villain and customize as you please by purchasing items through experience points earned through multiplayer games, you have an actual story emerge when you play the co-op adventure missions, unlike in Uncharted 2 where they took a location from the campaign and made you kill wave of soldiers to reach a treasure. In the co-op adventure maps you have locations from the all three Uncharted games, which offers some great mementos. The layout of multiplayer mode also looks more professional and up to date as you now have an Uncharted TV in the lower right corner of your TV screen, so you can enjoy and watch news from Naughty Dog, Uncharted 3 trailer’s, multiplayer kills and even videos about Naughty Dogs newest game in development The Last Of Us.

So in conclusion if you have a PS3 you need to buy this game, it’s completely worth the money as it offers a rich experience you won’t have experienced from any other game. So go out to your local video game shop and purchase it, or miss out on what may be the greatest game ever created.

Kratos, the human god returns and is more ruthless, meaner
and more violent than ever as he sets off on another journey slashing the heads
of off the most powerful gods, mortals and beasts in an attempt to gain full
vengeance on his father Zeus for killing him at the beginning of God Of War 2
and sending him to the realm of Hades. 
The game consists of so many different genres, but the two main ones are
action and adventure, but it also consists of fantasy and mythological. After
being killed by his own father Zeus at the very opening of God Of War 2, Kratos
escapes from the realm of Hades hell bent on gaining vengeance on his father.
And God Of War 3 marks the end of the famous God Of War franchise, marking
Kratos last effort to fully gain vengeance on his father. The majority of cut
scenes involved during the game focus around Kratos and a foolish opponent of
his who dares to stand in his way, ending with a fantastic spine chilling and
revolting ending. The motivation that pushes Kratos forward is highly
understandable, but the repetition of this becomes too common and makes the
story a bit dull as it feels as if there’s no real difference story wise
between the second instalment in the franchise and this game. But whilst his
motivations are clear and understandable it’s hard to relate to his actions
after he gruesomely disposes of yet another mythical opponent with the same
menacing, frightening and scowling look painted upon his face. The beginning of
God Of War 3 begins immediately after the ending of God Of War 2, where in the
opening sequence you will be standing on the should of the made out of trees
titan Gaia, urging her and her fellow titans to climb mount Olympus to strike
down the Gods. But Gaia betrays Kratos and chucks him down to the fiery and
hazardous underworld as she wants to kill Zeus herself for a reason that is
never explained.  After this Kratos
doesn’t just continue on his quest to kill the gods, but to kill everything in
his sights.

The characters play the most important role in making this
game so enjoyable and memorable. As they are perfect for the setting of the
game, the mood and atmosphere as well as the story. What’s majorly impressive
about each of the characters is how realistic they look, as they look so
lifelike and the voice acting used for each character is great as it makes you
feel part of the experience,  as it makes
it feel as if the characters are speaking to you, better than any other game
out at the moment as the lips move in perfect synch with their speech. The main
character Kratos is one mean evil and ruthless man who isn’t afraid to get his
hands bloody and break bones as it is what he lives for. There’s one scene out
of a huge number that makes you stomach twist and tie into knots, as Kratos
sets his sights upon the god Helios on the ground injured from a battle, Kratos
shouts at him aggressively to tell him where Zeus is.  Helios refuses to and soon regrets not as
Kratos in full on rage grabs the top of his with his two hands and slowly rips
the head off of his body. This is just one of many examples of hoe ruthless
Kratos is as he has done far worse, where in one instance he beats up a god,
kicking him around, throwing him around like a doll and stamping furiously upon
his face, until he decides to end his torture and pokes his eyeballs out.

The game has heavily improved in game play from the previous
two games and the most easily noticeable improvement is that you’re secondary
weapons are now second choices to your blades of exile meaning you can add two
different weapons together to cause greater damage upon your opponents.  You also have a large amount more different
endings to combat when finishing an enemy, but the endings differ depending on
which race of foe your facing. This is both fun and satisfying to use, but
after a while becomes repetitive as they only have one finisher for each race
of creature.

It doesn’t matter where you are set in God Of War, whether
you’re cramped in a cave or riding on the back of Pegasus fighting in the air,
the visuals of God Of War 3 are always stunning.  The ease in which the camera zooms in and out
during epic fight battles going from lots of different angles which show just
how great the action sequences really are. But the attention to detail should
be praised highly as well as it is truly amazing and so cinematic. Kratos is so
lifelike because of how much attention to detail has been put onto him. Whilst
riding atop of Pegasus, you can literally see the legs and arms of Kratos flex.
The same attention to detail is also given when swimming underwater, taking
flight with your wings, no matter what you are doing its always amazing to see
the lifelike movements of Kratos.  This
care is also used on the gods and beasts you battle with, making the fights
feel more real and personal as well as the final impact feeling more painful.
The lighting effects used in the game are also stunning as torches flicker
realistically on surfaces and characters, creating a beautiful and rich effect.

So in conclusion you enable the character Kratos through his
journey to gain vengeance on Zeus.  The
game doesn’t make you feel like your experiencing it, but it is still extremely
fun to pursuit in as you fight against titans, god and monsters beating them to
a bloody pulp. The story also offers nice breaks from all the blood and gore as
it offers a range of puzzles for you to complete to continue on with your
journey.  The game uses both a range of
diagetic and non diagetic sounds which both help to create the mood and
atmosphere of the game. The diagetic sounds are of the voice actors which do an
absolutely terrific job in portraying the characters and making them feel real,
the other diagetic sounds are of the gashing noise of the blades, the wings of
kratos, the impact of punches, screaming souls and much more which play in the
background creating the atmosphere of the setting.  The non diagetic sound is the only piece of
music used for the game, which is highly good piece of composed orchestra music
that really sets the atmosphere of the game and portrays the rage Kratos has
built up in him.

Nathan Drake is back and this time better than before as he
embarks on another action packed daring adventure that will literally have you
driven onto the edge of your seat during every exhilarating hour.  The story takes place a couple of years after
the events of the first game, and after Drake gets convinced to break into a
Turkish museum at night, by his cocky, witty and snobby friend Harry Flynn to
find a priceless artefact, but after Drake quickly realizes the truth of his
latest discovery he descends onto another quest that results in him going
around the globe to deny an evil warlord from gaining full possession of a
sacred object to deny him gaining god like powers. The plot is brilliant as it
keeps you fully engaged into the story, but at times the large amount of twists
are not so surprising as you can see them coming a mile away by the way the
story unfolds. The story is so interesting due the phenomenal voice acting done
by the cast that really bring the characters to life.  Nathan Drake is obviously the main character
and is easily the most likeable character because of the way he is
portrayed.  His motivations are pure and
clear but still runs through this action packed adventure with a roughish smile
with amazing charisma which is highly enjoyable as when every bad situation
occurs Drake acts in a realistic manner which is very uncommon in video games,
as in most video games the hero remains calm and seems to have everything under
control, whilst Drake panics, swears a lot because of the situation as well as
lets everything play out as he can’t control the situation he is in. This helps
make the game look amazingly cinematic and it also makes the main character
relatable to as in the end he acts as an average man who’s just doing
everything in his power to survive and save the world. Drake isn’t the only
enjoyable character, as all characters in this film are well developed, even
when it’s just normal game play as they all converse in discussion as well as
friendly throw insults at one another as well as joke around.

Almost every single character in this game with two or more
lines have an interesting reason for being involved in the game and for acting
the way they did. As all characters interact with one another in a realistic
and intriguing manner which makes the adventure seem like you watching a summer
blockbuster action movie. All characters reactions are not forced or
unnecessary, which is great as it makes you wonder if or when someone is going
to turn their back on you.  Aside from
the main character Nathan Drake, there are two more characters that players of
Drakes previous adventure will fairly know of and remember. These two
characters are none other than Elena Fisher and Victor Sullivan.  Elena Fisher returns, maintaining her job
role as a journalist who just gets thrown into the adventure and life
threatening situation before she knows it. 
Elena for the people who didn’t play the predecessor of Uncharted 2 is a
white attractive American, hardworking and loyal woman who if shot at, is not
afraid to return the gesture. Victor Sullivan also returns in this adventure,
but this time plays out a smaller role in this adventure. I thought that he was
highly under used as he is a character that many fans of the uncharted
franchise found enjoyable and was a fan of, but in this game blink and he’s
gone.  Besides Harry Flynn there are a
large number of new characters thrown into the franchise. Chloe Frazer is one
of them, she is an extremely attractive Aussie woman, with a tomboy attitude.
Unlike Elena she is ruthless and isn’t afraid to take somebody’s life in order
to save hers.  Having another female in
the game also helped make the story better as it added an extremely enjoyable
love triangle to the equation. Zoran Lazorovic is the leader of the organization
searching for the lost city of shambala, so he can find the tree of life which
will give him powers beyond even gods. Lazorovic has such a menacing look upon
his face as half his face is burnt and cut along with his menacing posture and
stature that will send a chill amongst the back of your spine and give you
Goosebumps.  He also has no loyalty or
conscience as he won’t stop anything stand in the way of what he calls his
destiny.

The game play has hugely improved upon its predecessor, but
it still clearly isn’t perfect.  The
controls will be familiar to players if you have played any third person
shooters in previous years without playing the first Uncharted, you aim with
the L1 button and shoot with the R1 button whilst holding it down. But unlike
most third person shooters, because of how realistic this game is Drake can’t
sustain much gun damage upon him, so you will have to constantly cover in
battles as covering plays a definitive role in keeping you alive. Cover and
shoot is used in all third person shooters, but in Uncharted 2 it is completely
different to other third person shooter games as it takes advantage of the
large space around you by offering you many objects to cover behind and make
all gun battles tense and exciting as if you don’t take out enemies quickly,
because of the smart AI they will quickly work together and attack you from all
angles. Unfortunately the controls are less than fully precise in cramped
corridor areas in the game, as it’s a struggle to smoothly slide from cover to
cover without mistakenly exposing yourself. It’s a very small issue that can
easily be overlooked as there are barely any tight areas in the game so it
doesn’t happen on a regular basis. But when battles do happen in a tight area,
they do take away the excitement as the battle is no longer tense and
unpredictable as the battles are far easier, as there is only one angle for
enemies to attack you from and they can’t also group together and act as a
team, so they only attack as individuals. This makes it less exciting as the
battle is unchallenging even on hardest difficulty, it doesn’t force you to
change your tactics and come up with a new strategy which makes it less tense.

The graphics are a major part in making this game as
successful as it is as the graphics are easily the best I’ve seen on any video
game.  As you travel through damp rain
forests, travel through covered snow wastelands, into the ruins of a crumbling
city and to the large amount of areas Drake ventures to in his quest, you will
be treated to a huge amount of beautiful sights that will literally take your
breath away and make you feel as if your actually at that location. It is very
easy to get lost in the atmosphere making you swing the camera around with the
right analog stick to admire the sights whilst forgetting at the menacing man
shooting at you. The animation is outstanding in this game. Drake moves and
reacts realistically, whether he’s stumbling after a long jump, quickly
reaching behind his back to grab a weapon, or just looking tired after walking
up a long flight of stairs, the amount of detail is phenomenal. Particularly in
cut scenes where the characters interact with one another so well its
lifelike.  In the locations there are also
little bits of attention to detail that make you lost in the world of Uncharted
2. When rushing through a rain forest you can see squirrels climbing up a tree,
and when you get wet Drakes shirt becomes tight on him and the colour dampens.
And even with all this detail, the game runs perfectly even through some of the
most tense gun fights, as there are only a few texture pop ins that you can
barely see.

In conclusion you enable Drake through a daring campaign
around the globe surviving onslaught wave of soldiers that are both tense and
give you an adrenaline rush with the excellent sound quality of non diagetic
and diagetic sounds. The diagetic sounds involve gun fire, explosives, car
sounds, actors voices which are all excellent as they make the world of
Uncharted 2 feel real. The non diagetic sounds is the multiple soundtracks in
the game which are so beautifully composed, and clearly represent the mood and
atmosphere of the game. The music also shows the genre of the game as its fast
and epic showing that its mainly genre, but the music can also be slow and feel
sympathetic showing their will also be emotional aspects as well as romantic
ones in the game as well.

After reluctantly working for Galactic human organization Cerberus and defeating the collectors, still Shepards greatest challenge lies ahead of him. You begin on Earth where Commander Shepard is relieved off duty for his actions in a DLC pack for ME2 called ‘Arrival’, but after 50,000 years the Reapers arrive and start destroying earth killing millions of innocent people dying on a daily basis, and Shepard now has to fight the reapers not just to save humanity, but for all Galactic races. This leads Shepard with his crew mates Ashley Williams and new character James Vega to venture around the galaxy recruiting each race to help him in the final battle against the reapers, this leads to difficult choices that you will need to make which will literally change the story completely. As you cant make every race happy as the Krogans hate the Salarians and Turians for the Genophae, whilst the Quarians and Geth have been in war for hundreds of years. The conclusion to this game is a little bit disappointing as it doesn’t really give you any closure, but trust me that wont ruin the experience for you at all as the whole game leading up to the last five minutes is just amazing.

Gameplay wise, if you thoroughly enjoyed Mass Effect 2 you will also enjoy this game, but if your looking for it to be more like Mass Effect 1, you will still enjoy it, but be wary that like Mass Effect 2, whilst there are decisive moments where only you the player can make the final decision, be aware this game is more of an action game, but don’t let that put you off as there are still plenty of RPG moments. So, like I said the gameplay is very much the same as ME2, but there are new additions such as the omni blade and the fact that Shepards a lot more agile this time around. I loved the omni blade as its so relieving killing an opponent with the omni blade as you get more close and personal and when you feel anger because of how much you hate Cerberus and the Reapers it releases a ton of stress and makes you feel pleased. Trust me you will feel anger as the story telling is so brilliant it makes you feel as if your experiencing it yourself. The fact that Shepard is more agile this time around, allows you to be able to roll around the battlefield allowing you to roll out the way of bullets and get to a position to cover quicker. The only problem I found with this was the fact that the roll button was the same as the cover button and sometimes when I wanted to cover he would roll into the open battlefield leading to my death. But everything else in the gameplay perspective is brilliant and perfect.

The graphics are jaw dropping at times such as when I arrived on the Turian planet Pavelon, you could see Earth being destroyed and it was jaw dropping, sure the graphics are no Uncharted or L.A Noire, but they help make the characters feel alive. Especially when it comes to their facial animations as when your talking to a character you literally see emotion upon there face which makes you care about them as individuals when it comes to making decisions that could potentially affect your relationship with them, especially when you look at their eyes, as every decision you make their eyes show there emotion, something that is rare to see in a video game.

The newest addition to the game was the multiplayer, which to be quite honest I am not a massive fan of as whilst it is fun at first, I find it gets amazingly repetitive which leads it to get infuriatingly boring and its not an addition they really needed to add anyway. And the most frustrating part for me is that I don’t like the multiplayer so I’m not going to play it regularly, and they’ve made it so you need to play the multiplayer to get the best ending possible and I find this unfair to the people who share the same opinion as me when it comes to the multiplayer.

In conclusion what Bioware has done is amazing, creating a trilogy which in my opinion is the greatest trilogy in all of gaming history that tells a story as brilliantly as an Oscar award winning movie. Pick this game up, you can even play it in the style you want as if your not a huge fan of the RPG elements you can choose not to have them, if you want more RPG elements and easier combat, you can and if you want a balance between both of them you can. Mass Effect 3 is a brilliant game that everyone should pick up, but if you haven’t played any of the previous games and want to get Mass Effect 3, you should definitely pick up ME2 if you have a PS3 and ME1 and 2 if you own a 360 as the experience as a whole will be much better for you.

Welcome to the Japanese Game Source review of Final Fantasy XIII. Since this is our first review, let me start by presenting the format of our reviews (you can skip to the first category under this paragraph if you don’t care). First, we select a number of dimensions that are highly relevant to the genre and/or specific game we are reviewing. Then, we rate each one on a 0 to 10 scale, decimals allowed. We sum the scores up and divide it by the total possible in order to give the final score for the game, which will be in terms of percentage (100% being an absolutely perfect game in our eyes). Then, since we review Japanese games for American and European audiences, every one of our reviews includes a part at the end about how “import friendly” the game is. This rating is based on two things, how easy or hard it is for a person with the American or European version of the console to be able to play the game (e.g., can they just put it in and play it, or will they have to modify the console, or even get a new Japanese one?), and how easy or hard is it for someone with little to know Japanese knowledge to play and enjoy the game. This, too, is on a 1 to 10 scale. Alright, here we go. We’ll start with graphics.