New Xbox elegant, but much unknown

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:33:07 -0400

REDMOND, Wash. -- Will gamers want One.After four years of development, Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One entertainment console and touted it as an all-in-one solution for playing games, watching TV and doing everything in between. Microsoft wants the Xb...

Blur the line between hero and villain with Injustice: Gods Among Us

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 10 May 2013 23:45:00 -0400

Injustice: Gods Among Us Warner Bros Sony PlayStation 3 (Xbox 360) $59.99 ESRB rating: Teen

Review: Injustice: Gods Among Us the ultimate super hero smackdown

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:23:07 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Its a question philosophers and fan-boys alike have been asking for generations -- Who would win in a fight, Batman or Superman."Injustice: Gods Among Us," the delightful new brawler from the creators of "Mortal Kombat,&...

Dont expect to breeze through Dragons Dogma: Dark Arisen

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:53:43 -0400

CapcomMicrosoft Xbox 360 (PS3)$39.99ESRB rating: Mature Review rating: 3.5 stars Last year, Capcom released an enjoyable and challenging Western-style action RPG calle...

Defiance is off to a good start

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:58:47 -0400

Defiance Trion WorldsWindows PC (Xbox 360, PS3)$49.99ESRB rating: Teen Review rating: 3.5 stars Video games based on movies arent a new concept, but T...

Review: Despite flaws, Dead Island: Riptide is pure fun

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:11:10 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Within minutes after beginning "Dead Island: Riptide," I watched in astonishment as a zombie glitched through a wall, only his arms left to flail away at me. Moments later, the sound completely cut out, leaving me surro...

Guacamelee! is in season

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:17:43 -0400

Guacamelee! Drinkbox StudiosSony PS Vita (PS3)$14.99 downloadESRB rating: TeenReview rating: 4.0 stars I rarely find Mexican humor to be laughable, wh...

Review: Ambitious Terraria worth digging into

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:57:46 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Dont be fooled by the colorful 16-bit appearance of "Terraria," the hit PC game that recently made the jump to Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. For to see the true beauty of this ambitious adventure game, you need to...

Army of Two: The Devils Cartel is very forgettable

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:06:29 -0400

EA Games Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3)$59.99ESRB rating: Mature Review rating: 2.5 stars Just like WWII games during the last generation of consoles, modern military combat...

Review: BioShock Infinite a true masterpiece

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:08:47 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As the final credits scrolled across the screen, accompanied -- fittingly enough -- by a heartfelt rendition of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken.," the true greatness of "BioShock Infinite" revealed itself. For even tho...

BioShock Infinite is astounding!

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:48:19 -0400

BioShock Infinite 2K GamesWindows 8/7/Vista/XP (Xbox 360, PS3)$59.99ESRB rating: MatureReview rating: 5.0 stars Sporting a unique blend of surrealisti...

Review: Hauppauges latest device makes creating game videos a snap

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:22:20 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - If youve ever searched for your favorite video game on YouTube, chances are, scattered amongst the official trailers and developer diaries, youve likely encountered hundreds, if not thousands, of user-created videos and gameplay clips. ...

Capcom Arcade Cabinet: 1985 Game Pack offers nostalgic fun

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 23:09:21 -0400

Capcom Arcade Cabinet: 1985 Game Pack Capcom System: Xbox Live Arcade (PSN) $9.99 Download ESRB rating: Teen...

Review: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 not quite a hole in one, but close

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 23:37:31 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In case you havent been following the world of professional golf (or ESPN) lately, you may have missed Tiger Woods ascent to the top of the world rankings. Considering he had slipped to as low as 58th in the world and went more t...

Action fans will love God of War: Ascension

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:54:24 -0400

God of War: Ascension SonySony PlayStation 3$59.99ESRB rating: Mature Review rating: 4.0 stars Sonys "God of War" series set a high benchmar...

Review: Kratos up to the challenge in God of War: Ascension

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:06:42 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- From its beginnings on the PlayStation 2 almost a decade ago, Sonys "God of War" franchise has remained every bit as brutal and unforgiving as Kratos, himself. And if the latest offering in the series, "God of War:...

Review: Judgment brings new energy to Gears of War

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:04:15 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - After last years "Gears of War 3" brought to an end Epic Games outstanding trilogy that helped define the Xbox 360, I thought Id seen the last of Marcus Fenix and the "Gears" franchise for quite some time, or at leas...

Tomb Raider is an enthralling adventure

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:39:39 -0400

Tomb Raider Square EnixMicrosoft Xbox 360 (PS3)$59.99ESRB rating: Mature Review rating: 4.5 stars
Lara Croft is as iconic to video games as Super...

Review: MLB 13 another home run

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:21:08 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Since making the leap to the PlayStation 3, each annual release of Sonys "MLB: The Show" franchise has been marked by minor adjustments and tweaks. These subtle improvements, while not directly affecting the core gameplay expe...

Open-world game play dominates Crysis 3

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:16:26 -0500

Crysis 3 EA GamesWindows 8/7/Vista (PS3, Xbox 360)$59.99ESRB rating: MatureReview rating: 4.0 stars
Core gamers know that the "Crysis"...

Review: Tomb Raider a gritty, emotional return for Lara Croft

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:47:41 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Beaten and bloodied, shipwrecked on a mysterious island inhabited by a members of psychotic cult, a young Lara Croft is struggling to survive. Years from now, she will become the Tomb Raider of legend, a larger-than-life thrill-seeking ...

Hyper-Intense Action Permeates Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:11:38 -0500

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

DEVELOPER: Platinum Games

PUBLISHER: Konami

SYSTEM: Micro...

Dead Space 3 provides more action than fear

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:44:28 -0500

Dead Space 3EA GamesMicrosoft Xbox 360 (PS3, PC)$59.99ESRB rating: MatureReview rating: 4.0 stars The "Aliens" movie taught viewers that &qu...

Review: Dead Space 3 short on frights, long on fun

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:19:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Five years after its release, the original "Dead Space" remains the most terrifying video game Ive ever played. For the sequel, developer Visceral Games ramped up the action, but still packed "Dead Space 2" fu...

Sony shows PlayStation 4 capabilities, but no box

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:14:38 -0500

NEW YORK -- Sony wants you to know that the PlayStation 4 is coming this holiday season, but not what it will look like.The Japanese electronics giant talked about its upcoming console for the first time Wednesday and showed what it can do, without act...

Review: Colonial Marines a joy for Aliens fans

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 20:10:46 -0500

Youre entering a tight corridor filled with menacing shadows. Is that breathing you hear. Well, dont run. Clanging metal walkways and staircases always give your position away.You might be playing a first- or third-person shooter -- or watching the fil...

The Walking Dead Episode 5: No Time Left is very creepy

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:24:18 -0500

The Walking Dead Episode 5: No Time Left Telltale GamesWindows 8/7/Vista/XP (Xbox 360, PS3)$10 DownloadESRB rating: MatureReview rating: 4.0 stars Jus...

Review: Sly Cooper up to his old tricks in Thieves in Time

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:20:27 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Theres a certain amount of trepidation that arises any time a beloved video game franchise changes developers. History has shown that for every smooth transition, such as 343 Industries taking over the "Halo" s...

Guild Wars 2 is highly addictive

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:23:13 -0500

Guild Wars 2 NC SoftWindows 8/7/Vista/XP$59.99ESRB rating: TeenReview rating: 4.0 stars After several years of trying to top the undisputed king of MM...

Sony poised to announce next PlayStation on Feb. 20

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:24:53 -0500

NEW YORK -- Sony is poised to unveil the next PlayStation game console on Feb. 20, a date that would give the Japanese electronics company a head start over Microsofts expected announcement of an Xbox 360 successor in June.Sony Corp. invited journalist...

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is enchanting

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:21:15 -0500

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Namco BandaiSony PlayStation 3$59.99ESRB rating: TeenReview rating: 4.0 stars Its not surprising that Japanese Ro...

Fieldrunners 2 offers top-notch tower defense action

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 20:00:00 -0500

Developer: Subatomic Studios

Publisher: Subatomic Studios

System: Windows 7/Vista/XP

Price: $8.99 Download...

Review: Adventure awaits within the depths of The Cave

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:52:15 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Theres probably a good chance you have never heard of game designer Ron Gilbert or spent a single minute playing "Monkey Island" or "Maniac Mansion." After all, Gilberts beloved adventure games were released more th...

MOGA controller enhances mobile gaming

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:32:49 -0500

MOGAPower AAndroid 2.3 or later$49.99Review Rating: 4 stars As a core gamer for more than 30 years, l will be the first to admit that I snub my nose at cellphone games...

Review: DmC breathes new life into Devil May Cry series

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:39:53 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- From the moment it was announced, many die-hard fans have railed against Capcoms "DmC: Devil May Cry," a game that reboots the popular "Devil May Cry" franchise with a new origin tale and a fresh look for ...

Get nostalgic with Pinball FX-2: Zen Classics

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:03:44 -0500

Pinball FX-2: Zen Classics Zen StudiosMicrosoft Xbox 360 $10 downloadESRB rating: EveryoneReview rating: 3.0 stars Just like the world-renowned invent...

Assassins Creed III brings the adventure stateside

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 17:05:53 -0500

Assassins Creed III UbiSoftMicrosoft Xbox 360 (PC, PS3)$59.99ESRB rating: MatureReview rating: 4.5 stars
The older I get, the more I realize that ma...

The Walking Dead tops list of 2012s best video games

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:39:01 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As the final seconds tick off of 2012, its time to take one last look back at the year that was in video games.It was roller-coaster year for the gaming industry, with the highs brought on by the launch of n...

PlanetSide 2 will blow you away.

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:31:18 -0500

PlanetSide 2Sony Online EntertainmentWindows PCFree with micro-transactions ESRB rating: TeenReview rating: 4.5 stars Cyber-war is hell. Im not talking ab...

Review: Taking aim at the years biggest first-person shooters

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:11:34 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Revolutionary is rarely a word used to describe first-person shooters. Its no surprise, really, given the nature of the genre, which at its core boils down to simply aiming and shooting at whatever threat opposes the player. This hasnt ...

In Far Cry 3, theres always something fun to do

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:53:03 -0500

Far Cry 3 Ubi SoftMicrosoft Xbox 360 (PC, PS3)$59.99ESRB rating: Mature Review rating: 5.0 stars "Far Cry" was an instant hit because it was...

Halo 4 is a worthy sequel

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:00:00 -0500

Halo 4MicrosoftMicrosoft Xbox 360$59.99ESRB rating: Mature Review rating: 4.0 stars When the Master Chief was presumed dead by all of humanity at the end ...

Call of Duty: Black Ops II improves its formula

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:45:16 -0500

Call of Duty: Black Ops IIActivisionMicrosoft Xbox 360 (PC, PS3)$59.99ESRB rating: Mature Review rating: 4.0 stars I had my doubts about the "CoD...

Review: Inside Line a big step forward for NASCAR series

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 09:08:30 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The first attempt by developer Eutechnyx to bring NASCAR to current-gen consoles, last years "NASCAR The Game," proved to be more Travis Kvapil than Brad Keselowski. The game featured a solid driving engine, but was plagued b...

Complete your holiday shopping with our gift guide for gamers

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 09:15:17 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- You somehow survived Black Friday. Cyber Monday has come and gone. Yet you still have some video game-sized holes to fill on your holiday shopping list. If this situation sounds familiar, dont fret -- you are not alone. And we here at ...

Hitman: Absolution is a sure-fire hit

(Jeb Haught) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:28:36 -0500

Hitman: Absolution Square EnixMicrosoft Xbox 360 (PS3)$59.99ESRB rating: MatureReview rating: 4.5 stars Living the life of a professional assassin isn...

Review: A new frontier awaits in Assassins Creed III

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:59:28 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The "Assassins Creed" franchise has been nothing short of brilliant, the breadth of the adventures of Altair and, especially, Ezio matched only by the gorgeous locales that served as the backdrop for their Templar-slaying esc...

Review: Skylanders Giants brings toys to life

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 01:00:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Activision struck gold last year with the release of "Skylanders: Spyros Adventure," a first-of-its-kind entertainment experience that seamlessly merged the worlds of video games and collectible toys. Allowing players to brin...

Review: Medal of Honor: Warfighter a shooter with heart

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 08:47:39 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- With no shortage of military first-person shooters on the market, it can often be difficult to differentiate one game from the next. After all, each modern FPS inevitably boils down to the same thing -- pointing and shooting at some ge...

Review: WWE 13 brings attitude back to wrestling genre

jrider@wvgazette.com (Jeff Rider) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:11:52 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The late 1990s and early 2000s was unquestionably the golden age of modern professional wrestling. With Vince McMahons WWE(F) going head-to-head with Ted Turners WCW every Monday night and legendary characters like Stone Cold Steve Aust...

The Charleston Gazette - Video Games