Retro Fix: Pokemon Yellow
1999 was a golden year for handheld gaming. With the truly astronomical success of the original Pokémon titles for the Gameboy the previous year, an enhanced version was released to tie-in elements of the animé series, and Pokémon Yellow was born.
Whilst the popularity of Pokémon has certainly dwindled in recent years, in the Western world at least, The Newb Review thought we’d send out tom01255 to take you, our beloved readers, on a trip down memory lane and try to explain just why Pokémon Yellow was so great.
Review: Bioshock
Game: Bioshock
Format: PS3
Developer: Irrational Games, 2K Marin
Publisher: 2K Games
Bioshock is a first person shooter set during an alternate history in 1960. Playing as Jack, the sole survivor of a plane crash, you must explore the underwater dystopia of Rapture whilst battling against mutated beings and mechanical drones that populate the city. Originally released on the Xbox 360 and PC at the end of 2007, the game took until October 2008 to be released on the PS3.
“So why haven’t you reviewed it yet?” I hear you ask. Well, with the sequel finally upon us, the staff at The Newb Review thought it was high time we gave you our thoughts on this intriguing title. Read on for the full review from our very own tom01255…
iRate: MM-NO!
If I were to mention the ominous acronym ‘MMO’*, most will immediately recall the all conquering World of Warcraft (WoW). The most successful MMO of all time, at the last count WoW had over 12 million active players. Computer games are, for many, a form of escapism. They are a place where gamers can go to step away from the rigours and stresses of the everyday and witness some pure enjoyment within the fantastical.
“Well, MMOs like WoW fill this idiom, don’t they?” You may well ask. My dear friends, I would argue that they do not. I agree, they present a level of escapism: who can claim they aren’t escaping when they run around the lush fields of Azeroth as their chosen muscular Night Elf or ludicrously buxom human mage? However, escapism is a misnomer when the developers insist on emphasising human interaction within their game world.
Review: Army of Two: The 40th Day
Game: Army of Two: The 40th Day
Format: PS3
Developer: EA Montreal
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Army of Two: The 40th Day is the sequel to the flawed-but-fun third person shooter released at the beginning of 2008. Salem and Rios, the titular heroes from the original, return to wreak havoc as they attempt to escape Shanghai whilst terrorists attack the city in droves. The over-arching story is less than clear however, as it is unclear why Salem and Rios are in Shanghai or why the city is being attacked at all.
This could all be a clever nod to the fact that in a real terrorist attack, information would be sketchy and you would be unsure as to what exactly was going on. However, I wouldn’t give the writers so much credit, this game neither attempts nor pretends to show any kind of intelligence in terms of narrative or character motivation. If you’re looking for narrative clarity, pick up Bayonetta over this; you might have more of a clue as to the story.
iRate: DLC Exclusivity and Me… A Hate/Hate relationship
Ah the joy of gaming… You finally sit down with the latest multiplatform release and let the gaming goodness wash over you, fully enjoying everything there is on offer. But hang on a second…There are bits missing aren’t there? It’s seems you can’t enjoy the same game as your rival console owners, not because of shoddy porting issues (we’ll save that for another iRate article), but because the developer has decided to sell off their reputation to the highest bidder and screw over around half of us gamers in the process. Oh well, at least they make a bit of extra cash…
The epic war of the consoles between Sony and Microsoft (the Wii isn’t made for gamers; see ‘iRate: Wii never play it really’) seems to have descended into a tit-for-tat squabble; each company sinking to new lows by securing the exclusivity of relatively minute amounts of individual titles. Sure, the Joker maps from Batman: Arkham Asylum are only available to PS3 customers, but does Sony really think that this pathetic half-step is going to incense XBox owners into purchasing the rival console?
The Newb Review: Episode 10
A very special guest joins Braindead_hero, Tom01255 and Crofterz this week, the emperor and owner of newbreview.com Steve 'Kamiza' Garrett to discuss this weeks video gaming news inclding;
Borderlands and Assassin's Creed DLC,
Tony Hawk prepping to ride again
and Nintendo renewing it's licence to print money thanks to New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
As usual we also have the new releases, site updates and (sadly) some amazing voice acting as well as your e-mails. And details on how you can win a fabulous prize.
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If you want to leave us any questions, comments and suggestions as well as enter our competition please e-mail; podcast@newbreview.com
Review: Mass Effect 2
Game: Mass Effect 2
Format: Xbox 360
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Finally reaching us some two years after the original, Mass Effect 2 has more than a little anticipation and hype. Any gaming fan has been left drooling over teaser footage as this sequel brings back the primary protagonist, Shepard, to once again kick ass and take names throughout the universe. Searching through even the least hardcore of gaming forums shows a lot of speculation as to the new gameplay style and, perhaps most importantly, where the developers are going to take the narrative of this lucrative franchise. So, does the game live up to the hype? Read on and you’ll find out…
Newb Flash Episode 7: Golden Axe Edition
This week's newb flash; your weekly bite-sized videogame news update includes preowned digital distribution store, Sony Motion Controller (Arc?) delay and Modern Warfare 2 causing relationship problems. Look out for some extra strangeness courtesy of Tom01255 and JoeFeesh.
Check back each week for your newb flash update.
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The Newb Review: Episode 9
It's quite possibly the sleepiest podkey ever recorded as Braindead_hero, Crofterz, LavaLampBamboo and Tom01255 talk about the weeks news, site updates and new releases including;
Final Fantasy XIII going gold
Are rythmn games killing the games industry?
and SonyMotion Controller delayed to Autumn.
We also have all your e-mails, our terrible pokemon impressions and the debut of Dialogue Hard with a Vengeance.
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If you want to get in touch with the podcast please e-mail; podcast@newbreview.com
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Newb Flash Episode 6
This weeks Newb Flash with Tom01255 and Joefeesh as well as an additional extra special guest. This week's news including; Reggie Fils-amie talking about the next Wii, Batman: Arkham Asylum GOTY edition and Dragon Age: Origins DLC released and then withdrawn as well as much more.
Check back each week for the run-down of each weeks video gaming news.
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Reviews
- 5.0 : Review: Mass Effect 2 (6 votes)
4.9 : Preview: Battlefield Bad Company 2 (20 votes)
4.9 : THE EVENT - Dragon Age: Origins, The Warden’s Quest (20 votes)
4.9 : iRate: Four reasons why online play sucks the joy out of gaming (18 votes)
4.9 : Review: Dragon Age: Origins (18 votes)- 4.9 : iRate: DLC Exclusivity and Me… A Hate/Hate relationship (8 votes)
4.8 : Review: Red Faction Guerrilla (20 votes)
4.8 : Review: Fifa 10 (18 votes)
4.7 : Confessions of a Trophy Whore (13 votes)- 4.7 : Review: Army of Two: The 40th Day (7 votes)
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- 7 Bit Arcade
- Frugal Gaming A great site for video game deals
- Frugal Gaming Forum The community section of Frugal Gaming.co.uk where you can find the best gaming bargains (main site currently under maintentance)
- Gamerdork.net Gamerdork is a gaming site with excellent articles, a friendly community and a superb podcast
- Yet Another Review site Games reviews written by gamers for gamers
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- Gamerdork UK Hosted by Xibxang and Ratsoalbion, this is a superb podcast with excellent commentary on games and gaming
- Pink and Deadly
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