“Playing in a Fish Bowl” is how I heard Sea Life Safari reviewed on other podcasts and game sites. But not from us at XBLRadio.com we go in depth with our reviews for you the listener/reader. Check out full details “down under”…
Hey what is up everybody at PN and XBL Radio, it is Mr B4 here to give you the latest about what is going on in the gaming community. I do not have any nintendo news for you this week, what I do have is a written review for a game that I played recently. The game is called Hellboy: The Science of Evil, and it is available for the PS3, 360, and PSP. I will be reviewing the Xbox 360 version of the game.
Without further adieu, let us get right into the review:
With the release of the new Hellboy movie only days away, what better way to cash in on the movie franchise than to release a game that is loosely based on the movie in someway shape or form. Hellboy: The Science of Evil is a beat-em-up game that is tied in with the movie release. To be honest with you, this is a title that should have never been released, and I will tell you why.
Story (D-): This is by far the biggest dissapointment of this game. I am honestly going to tell all of you right now that I could not figure out what the story was in this game whatsoever. You basically move from one random location to another without being told why you are doing so. You go from being in a graveyard, to a forest, to somewhere in Japan, to a rainy abandoned town, to a desert, then to a castle. There are certain characters you meet along the way who will explain to you the reason as to why everything is going on, but honestly, it gets confusing and uninteresting very quickly. I would have just preferred the story from the movie, that way at least there would be some from of structure to it.
Sound(C-): There is nothing special in the game as far as sounds are concerned. When Hellboy beats down enemies, all you hear is a basic whooshing sound, which is kind of strange considering the size of his hand, you would think it make a more thunderous sound, but this is not the case. It is kind of cool to hear the sound of an entire wall crumbling when Hellboy beats it down with his fists. Enemies have no sounds other than grunts, which makes it easier for you to beat down on them, but really also gives them a lack of personality.
The voice acting is pretty good for the most part, with Ron Perlman’s sarcastic sense of humor being the highlight of most of the voice acting in the cutscenes. Other people that you encounter, such as the witch, and a few skeleton people, do an okay job of voice acting, but do not do enough to counteract the one liners from Ron Perlman.
The music is pretty bad as well, with literally the same background music repeating itself over and over again from level to level. When you first hear it, it does sound pretty cool, menacing, and scary, but after awhile you will grow tired of it. Different background music for each of the different levels would have been nice, but sadly they are non-existent.
Graphics(B-): Graphics are actually the high point of this game. Character models for the most part look next-gen, with Hellboy once again being the highlight of the graphics department. He looks very menacing, has piercing red eyes, and much detail has gone into the overall look of his body as far as muscles go. Environments are nothing special, there are a few nice lighting effects here and there, but much more could have been done to make the environments more inviting, such as more parts of the environment being available to destroy. As it stands, the environments look like they were taken from games on the original xbox.
Gameplay/Controls(C-): The game is a beat-em up, which basically comes down to mashing buttons to defeat your enemies, primarily in this case the X-button will end up being your button of choice. You can do other combos by mixing the X and Y buttons together, but they are not really neccesary or fun to do. There are also finishers that you can perform on both small and large enemies by grappling them with the RT button and by pressing the B button, but the only time that you will need to use them in order to progress through the game is during some boss fights, that is it.
Boss fights themselves are boring and unintersting, and really require no other strategy to them other than mashing on the X button until the enemy is stunned, then do a finishing move, then the fight ends. Even though the fighting is dull and repetitive, it is quite easy to understand. You can also use your gun by pressing the LB button to shoot at your enemies, and the RB button to select different types of ammo that you will find throughout the game. The different types of ammo include a spread shot, a power shot, a grenade shot, a flame shot, a crystal shot, etc. You really do not need to use your guns that much throughout the game, other than to shoot an object to open it, to break through a wall, etc.
You can also use Hellboy’s fists to break through walls, open up certain areas, light torches to burn down obstacles, but that is about it. All of these actions can be performed by locking onto something with the RT button, then pressing the X button to perform the action. These action promps do not occur that often throughout the game, leaving you wondering why they were put there in the first place.
The biggest dissapointment in the gameplay department is the camera positioned on Hellboy. The camera places Hellboy in a fixed perspective point of view, making it hard for you to see where enemies are coming from, judge distances between certain gaps where you have to jump, where an enemy is during a boss fight, etc. The fact that you cannot adjust the view at all is very dissapointing and frustrating. By simply allowing players to adjust the view, alot more parts of this game could have been easier to complete.
Replay Value (D-) : Other than completing the maing quest, which only consists of six levels, there is not much else to do. You can play through the game again either alone or online with a friend to complete certain tasks in order to gain achievements, such as kill a certain amounts of enemies with a certain weapon, find artifacts, etc., but that is about it. Some unlockable costumes or new weapons might have given gamers a reason to play through the game one more time, but sadly they are nowhere to be found, a major dissapointment.
Overall (D): While the nostalgia of playing as Hellboy and smashing your way through enemies and obstacles can be fun for about an hour or so, the fun wears off pretty quickly. With bad camera angles, unintersting boss fights, decent dialogue, repetitive gameplay, and a disjointed story, this is a game that you should definitely pass on. The only reason I gave it a D instead of an F is because you do receive a free movie ticket to see the new Hellboy movie when you buy the game.
Give it a rent if you are looking for an easy way to gain achievement points, otherwise, just do not bother playing it at all.
Take care gamers, and I will see you next time.
Take Care,
Mr B4
What I, Mr B4, will be reviewing for you today is the Wi-fi USB Connector for both the Wii and DS. The MSRP on this item is $39.99, and can be purchased here or any major video game retailer.
Pluses
+ Provides good internet connection for both the DS and for the Wii
+ Easy to install and use on your computer
Minuses
- Cord to connect USB connector to computer is too short
- Only provides connection for a couple of hours
- Overheats way too easily
- Only compatible with computers that support Windows XP
- Too Expensive
- System needs to be a short distance away from connector in order to work
Just a quick reminder, XBL Radio is currently looking for a new picture to use for the video reviews. So be sure to send your best 640X480 pixel image to us at xblradio@platformnation.
The person who gets their picture chosen will be credited on future video reviews and also win a free copy of Ticket To Ride for the XBLA.
Other than that, take care gamers, see you next time, and good luck with the contest.
Take Care, Mr B4
***WARNING***
This show contains some…actually, a lot of EXPLICIT language.
Topics Include:
Call of Duty 5: World at War. Are they stuck in the past?
Spiderman: Web of Shadows. Will this one be any better?
EA Battlefield: Bad Company poking fun at Gears of War and Rainbow Six.
Sporn! There goes the spores!
This week’s movie review: Hulk! We also touch on other Marvel games coming out in the next few years.
Also, special guest KingL3pr3chaun!
All this and more!
Thanks for listening, Please leave us a comment on the show or send us an e-mail at: xblradio@platformnation.com
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So there is the first hour of gameplay (click for direct link to video) from the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix Beta. As you would hear on AllGames “IT’S MAD BUGGY”. There is no ranked matches, it is not keeping stats in player matches, and everytime i tried a tournament it froze. Overall in an hour it froze my 360, I think, 7 times! But it was the FIRST HOUR of an eight week beta.
It looks very nice. There are numerous costume colors to choose from by selecting your character with different buttons. As some players mentioned, the shadows are a little dark on some of them.
As you will see by the video I let the other people win a lot. That was on purpose! Nite All!
It is a sad day for the world today. Many of us have grown up seeing and hearing George Carlin, his “Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television.” to his stand up that always made you think while your side was splitting open. He was a comedian, author, actor, and an inspiration to free thinkers everywhere. 
Carlin died of heart failure at the age of 71 on Sunday June 22nd 2008. He was a hero to a great many of us. He will be missed by all who loved him and his work. The next .0 show will make sure to include those seven words he loved so much.
Hey there all you sports fans. Kemanswar has been doing some stock car racing this past week with NASCAR ’09 for the Xbox 360. This year’s cover athlete is Jeff Gordon, driver of the number 24 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. At the start of the game he provides the tutorial to help get you started. Any time Gordon is explaining anything to you it is via cut scene; you can skip it or listen to him talk. If you are a fan of NASCAR you already know the basics but let’s break it down anyway.
If you run through the career mode you start out in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, this is where all you rookies will get some experience. You can sign contracts for teams and sponsors, as you progress and meet objectives i.e.: place in the top 25 for 3 races, etc… This gives you Reputation Points, the more of them you have, the more options you have for sponsors and teams. As you complete sponsor objectives and team objectives you also get Performance Points. Use these to upgrade your stats in four categories: Engine, Chassis, Aerodynamics, and Durability; and in the four track types: Speedway, Super Speedway, Short Track, Road Course. Leveling up comes in heavy when you play online (more here later). After some time in the Truck Series, you can move up to the Nationwide Series, think of this as big engines with training wheels. A faster car, better aerodynamics, better stability, makes competition a little bit harder than the trucks. Same rules apply though work your way through the season and build up your reputation and make your way to the Sprint Cup Series.
Sprint Cup Series: fast cars all turning left over and over! This is where the big boys race for the win, or make a smoking wreck in turn four! All your big names and big sponsors are here where big engines cut loose for you to take to the front.
If you were to remove the NASCAR licenses it would still be a decent racer, it has control modes that make it easy for novice users to keep up with the hardcore simulation fans. Speaking of whom, will love to go in and tweak their set up, much like Forza 2. This detail into handling, aerodynamics, tire pressure, etc makes it a worthy simulation (I’m not going to lie; I just looked at the options, as I know nothing about cars).
There is also a race now feature, as in all EA Sports games, and of course the obligatory country EA Trax. One of my favorite features is the option to create your own paint scheme, which for once EA stepped up and is giving you more. You can also upload your very own custom paint job from your computer. Love to edit in Photoshop? Than go to the EA website and download the templates you need to create what ever your mind can come up with. We could talk about the dangers of what some gamers will “paint” on their cars, but that’s been beat to death.
Overall I really enjoy NASCAR ’09, it’s a fun race game that helps you learn how to adjust your cars and build up a reputation. If you are a fan of NASCAR than you will probably enjoy the ’09 outing, heck if you like racers check it out! It’s more about how you control your car and how you tweak your settings that make this a keeper. If on the other hand, you are not a fan of either, but your interest has been sparked, rent it and find out what you think.
Please leave comment here or submit feedback to xblradio@platformnation.com
Here is a trailer for the game:
Hosts:
Guests this week include:
Co-Host of Gamerhusbands Radio Co-Host of The XBLRadio .0 Show
Topics Include: Madden 09! The onslaught of Music Games! Arby N The Cheif! (Youtube video NSFW! or the younger audience) We go through all of July’s Upcoming Releases! Achievements and point totals associated with them! Qore vs. Inside Xbox! All this and more! Thanks for listening, Please leave us a comment on the show or send us an e-mail at: xblradio@platformnation.com
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XBLRadio ver 68.5 - "Welcome to the Party, Now Pay for the Cake" [2:08:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Hey what is up everybody at Xblradio and Platform Nation, it is Mr B4 here giving you the latest news as to what is going on in the gaming community. I know I have not posted an article in awhile, and I apologize for that. What will be happening now is I will be bringing you an article every week from now on, one week having a news story, the other being my thoughts on a game I just recently played.
Enough of the apologzies, let us get right into the article, which today will be my thoughts on The Incredible Hulk for the Xbox 360.
As most of you may know, the latest Hulk movie has just come to theaters, and what is a new movie release without a new video game release to back it up. And to be honest with you, The Incredible Hulk is not a totally bad game in any aspect, there are just so many problems that it has that other movie to video game adaptations have experienced as well. Without further or do, let us get right into the review.
Story (C-): To be honest with you, I have not seen the movie yet, but here is what I think of the story so far in this game. You are Bruce Banner, and you are trying to find a cure so that you do not have to be the hulk anymore. The Incredible Hulk game plays through an open world environment, which at times can really get you confused about what is going on in the game. So far I know the Enclave (An alien army squad) is trying to destroy new york city, Bruce Banner is trying to find a cure, and the army wants to find you and keep you under quarantine, that is about it.
Instead of having a straight forward mission structure, you are able to jump into any mission that is available at any given time. Now granted, the missions are color coded, but honestly, I kept going to the mission closest to me, so that way I am not spending an half hour trying to find the next mission to continue the story. Cutscenes do not help fill in the gaps either, they are brief, look horrible, and leaving you feeling confused about what to do next in the game.
Sound (B+): This is where the game shines by far. Every sound is accurate to what would happen if you jumped and landed on a building, blew up a building, beat down a car, run through a street in New York City, etc. Helicopters, tanks, and cars all make lively explosions when you destroy them. The Hulks scream sounds really angry, and really translates well to his core character. The music for the most part is lively and fast paced, and will keep you excited no matter which mission you play.
Graphics(C+): For the most part, the graphics are ok, but the game does have a couple of noticeable problems. For example, when you jump off the top of a building, you cannot see most of New York City, except for blocky textures, until you hit the ground. New York City on its own does still look lively as it always does, with colorful billboards, a number of different vehicles in the streets, pedestrians crowding the streets, etc. However, many of the buildings tend to repeat themselves over and over again, which could be remedied by adding a little more variety, other than size, of the buildings that you are looking at.
The hulk himself looks ok, for a launch 360 game. He still looks a little bit too cartoonish, even from a video game aspect. By that I mean that he may look menacing and scary up close, with ripped up jeans, the scary look on his face, the huge muscles, etc. Looking from the behind of him angle, makes him look kind of small, and just like every other citizen. Cutscenes, as I stated earlier, look bad, leaving the only good thing about them being the fact that it does not look like the characters in them are lip-synching their words.
Gameplay/Controls (D+): While being extremely fun at first, The Incredible Hulk falls into a state of repetitiveness that most movie games fall into very quickly. The gameplay falls into a few basic categories, destroy a certain amount of enemies in area, destroy or get rid of certain objects that are of danger to the city, save a friend from being killed, destroy buildings, defeat bosses, and that is about it.
The fighting in this game relies heavily on button mashing. You will be performing alot of X and Y button mashing moves, which gives you limited possibilities about the types of combos that you can do. You can also jump into the air, and slam the ground with the Y button, but it does not really help that much in any situation.
There are four special moves that you have, which can be trigged by selecting them with your d-pad, and then by pressing the Y and B buttons together at the same time. I only unlocked three during my time playing, and they were Healing, Ground Strike, and a Clap. The only real useful one though is the healing move, because it always refills your health to the max whenever you use it. While the other ones are cool, it just takes too much time to perform the actions that you need to perform in order to the execute these moves correctly.
This is partly because Hulk has a fury meter that he uses in order to execute these moves, which requires you to destroy tings in order to fill up the meter, and with the amount of fury that you need in order to execute these moves, ends up taking way too much time to do. I would have also preferred the selecting of these moves to be simplified to pressing up, down, left, or right on the d-pad, which would make them easier to use in the more hectic battles.
The game also tends to run at a slow frame rate, and sometimes freezes up when you are trying to complete objectives. Enemies themselves are not varied, leaving the only variation to the use of different colors to increase difficulty.
Replay Value (C-): While there are a number of missions to complete, there is not much else available that will make you want to come back and play this game again. The are Fury Canisters and Gamma Containers that you can collect to increase the hulks overall health and fury in the game. There are also a few mini-games that you can play that require you to do things like destroy a certain amount of the city in a certain amount of time, run through laps around the city, or destroy a certain amount of objects in a given period of time. From what I have experienced, none of these mini-games have unlocked anything for me, so I thought they were a complete waste of time.
You can also unlock different outfits, and different colored hulks to use during gameplay. Honestly though, once you have played through this game once, you are not going to want to do it again, just for a little bit of an attack or fury boost that is added to each character.
Overall (C-): While it can be fun for awhile, The Incredible Hulk becomes dull and repetitive very quickly. A sluggish frame rate, useless unlockables, blocky textures, and mindless button mashing gameplay make for up for a very disappointing experience. The cutscenes do not piece together the story very well, which could have been improved on by making he game have a linear story similar to that of the movie in which it is based off of.
A rental at best, but do not waste your $60 dollars on this one.
Until next time gamers, this is B4 signing off.
Take Care,
Mr B4
After our hiatus after GTA IV, Keman returns with his favorite rants!
Topics Include:
What games we’ve played the past few months!
Demos we’ve played…Grid and Dragonball Z Burst Limit!
GTA IV DLC content delayed…if you want to call it that.
Bioshock movie and sequels, and how it is not as exclusive as we thought.
Jack Thompson has really lost it this time!
Star Wars Force Unleashed unleashes another character for Soul Caliber IV!
All this and more!
Thanks for listening, Please leave us a comment on the show or send us an e-mail at: xblradio@platformnation.com
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