The Retro Goat Reviews- Dynasty Warriors 8

Dynasty Warriors 8 is a hack-n-slash beat 'em up, the eighth main title in the Dynasty Warriors series, and the thirty second Dynasty Warriors game total (including foreign releases) It includes more characters than ever at over seventy characters, and it spans nearly of century of war over the course of the game. Needless to say, it's a huge game, and newer entries try to mix things up to keep things fresh and exciting.This installment is no different, but their success varies with the changes in this game.

Story- 7/10
The story is largely the same, with it being about the War of the Three Kingdoms. Since it's based off of a book, which is in turn based off of a legitimate war, it does have somewhat of a storyline to follow consistently. While it can be given a pass for not changing the story due to the aforementioned reason, they do attempt to include what-if stages to shake things up. Keyword being attempt. The first main issue with this is that to unlock the what-if stages, you have to do generally vague missions in set battles to unlock them. Sometimes they're simplistic, such as defeat X in say nine minutes, and other times they practically require a walk through to figure out what you're supposed to be doing. For the most part it's never too terribly difficult once you know what to do, but it feels like padding that you're forced to replay stages continuously until you figure out how to unlock more stages. It's not as bad as it sounds, but it still isn't all that enjoyable. The second main issue is that the story for the what-if line of battles simply isn't that good. It's less of an alternative interpretation on what would change in history had this character lived or this battle had been won, and more of just "fight so your kingdom can live happily ever after." It could have been a really cool concept, but it's marred by the fact that essentially all that changes is your kingdoms ending. Nothing deep or thought provoking, just what amounts to "you win." It's flawed, but it does have room to be worked on. Now back to the main story, while they can't change a huge amount and remain relatively accurate, they can flesh out their characters. With over seventy characters, not all of them have distinct personalities. It happens. The issue is that, if you're a newcomer to the franchise, NONE of them have distinct personalities. In past games there were less characters so they got individual story modes to flesh their characters out, so for the most part each character was unique. Now that the story mode had to change (before anyone complains, would you want to beat a game over seventy times?) no character gets a good bit of development. Past characters would only have noticeable personalities if you played as them in previous games, and new characters just don't have a legitimate personality past "Determined, but inexperienced" or "Caring and hates to fight, but fights for peace." Overall the story isn't as bad as it sounds, it's just not very compelling for returning players or inviting to newcomers, and the series is in need of more fans. It's flawed, but it has room to improve. 

Gameplay- 7/10
The gameplay is largely the same, and for the most part only mild things have been changed. The most noticeable change is the addition of a weapon affinity, a rock paper scissors style change, with each weapon having an affinity. Heaven, Earth, and Man. With each character being able to bring two weapons, you'll rarely be at a disadvantage (in this case, an advantage is increased attack and ability to do a special move and a disadvantage is decreased attack and defense to whoever you are fighting) but it feels added to bring a bit of a strategic element to the gameplay. It's not bad, but it is slightly unpolished and has a few annoyances. For example, every weapon category (as many different weapons as there are characters) has a special five star weapon that is meant to be the best obtainable weapon in its field. However, every single five star weapon has the same affinity: Heaven. Which means you can't have a character equip two five star weapons without ending up at a disadvantage to anyone with the opposing element, which is Man. Heaven beats Earth, Earth beats Man, Man beats Heaven. It feels like the developers did that to ensure that your character can't be overpowered, but at the point that your character is strong enough to unlock their weapon, you're already at superhuman levels of strength, so it feels like a pointless nuisance. Besides, why not let the player have fun slaughtering hundreds of peons without worry? Many people like difficulty, and the difficulty can be changed to suit your desire, but sometimes it's simply fun to dominate throughout a stage, and to limit that is disappointing. The other issue with the gameplay is that most of it is simply padding. Many of the stages feel like there is no reason to play through them, and they add a huge amount of stages that only last a few minutes. There's probably around eighty stages, and if they aren't in the story mode (which is half of the stages) they're normally around five minutes long and without any reason to complete them besides simply having them beaten. The game adds a new mode, Ambition mode, which replaces Conquest mode from the previous game. Unlike Conquest mode, Ambition mode serves little purpose, doesn't unlock characters for Free mode, and gets very boring very fast. The point of Ambition mode is, essentially, doing many many MANY skirmishes to get materials to build a palace named Tongquetai. The materials include literal materials to improve your facilities, officers to unlock more facilities, and fame to be able to acquire more officers. It gets old fast. It feels like pure padding, which is the main issue with the gameplay this time around. However, the gameplay does remain fun and true to form, and most past fans will be relatively pleased. Newcomers may not enjoy this game to it's fullest extent, however. 

Controls- 9/10
The controls remain relatively simplistic, but they included enough to where just running around pressing X won't allow you to beat the game. For the most part, it's identical to the past game, but it does add simple convenience to make the game more enjoyable. For example, holding down the "call your horse" button makes you automatically ride your horse when it arrives. It's a simple thing, but it's great to have. Really if you've played one, you know the controls, and if you haven't it isn't hard to figure out. My only complaint is that if you're trying to ride your horse or climb a ladder, you absolutely have to stop moving and press A/X to use them. But save for that one issue, the control remains simplistic and enjoyable. If it isn't broken, don't fix it. 

Graphics- 7/10
The graphics fail to impress, to put it simply. They aren't bad, but they should be better by now. The main issue with the graphics is the fact that they're the same graphics as the previous games. Yes characters get new outfits, and the new characters have unique looks, but it's very clear that the graphics engine is the same as the previous game. Another issue with the graphics, which is most apparent in cutscenes, is that character models sometimes get this weird look that makes them look like they're from a game with comic designs. Something akin to Borderlands, but this game was hoping to be as realistic as possible and that leads me to think that this is a legitimate programming error. However, with it not being addressed, it stays and it's clearly not supposed to be happening. On the bright side, the graphics are still nice, and you won't get bored with the varying maps quickly. Though thanks to the many skirmishes in Ambition mode, the maps lose interest quicker than normal. Still, the graphics aren't bad, they just aren't amazing.

Sound- 7/10
The Dynasty Warriors series has always had amazing soundtracks, and this game is no different. On that note, the low grade is for the voice acting. It's never been amazing, but this is the first game where re-using the lines from the past game is clear.The worst part is when it sounds like they hired new voice actors for certain characters, then re-use lines from the past game where they sound entirely different. The voice acting is irritating, and doesn't have the hammy amusement to excuse it, but it doesn't make the game unplayable, just slightly annoying. As for the soundtrack, it remains awesome, but it doesn't stand out that much. It sounds like a Dynasty Warriors game, and though it won't be winning any awards, it is still pretty awesome. 

Replay Value- Moderate
Though there is plenty to do and it's got a huge amount of content, that's a technicality. There is a lot to do, but will you want to do it? The game isn't as fun as previous entries in the series, and if you don't like the gameplay to the point where you can devote to it, you will probably put the game down before doing a majority of the tasks in it. On the flip side, if you love the series, there is an incredible amount of things to do. Over eighty battles to play and over seventy weapons to collect, and that's after you beat the games story modes. The replay value varies from person to person. You'll either love it or hate it, and if you don't absolutely love it you won't do a lot in the game.

Buy or Borrow?
If you haven't played a past game, borrow this one. If you have played a previous entry, I'd still say borrow unless you're confident that you'll enjoy this game. It's not for everyone, and it doesn't improve on much, but it's not a bad game. You should find a way to try it out before buying it though. If you can't, you may want to leave this at the store.

Overall, this game could have been amazing if they had improved on what they had, instead of trying to tweak the current play-style. To quote the box art, this was called "The definitive Dynasty Warriors experience" and this game is certainly not that. There was no chance they would be able to create the definitive experience while re-using so much content from the past entry, and that was too great of a boast for this game to live up to. By all means, this isn't a bad game, but it could have been so much more. It's good, but it's clearly just good. It isn't amazing or captivating or innovative, it's just a good time killer. Some people would love that, and some people would hate it. Buy it if you think you'll like it, but if it seems like a risk then play a previous entry first. With this one, you'll love it or hate it.

Final Score- 7/10

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Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag - Review

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. When fans of the well known Assassin's Creed series first heard this name, they were filled with mixed emotions. For the past few years, the AC series has had a new game release every fall, and fans had come to expect that; however, the fact that the newest entry was in fact "Assassin's Creed IV" was pretty shocking. Back when two was released, it had been a few year wait since the original game, and each game released after it was nothing more than an "expansion" of sorts. Brotherhood was the third title to be released (fifth if you count the Nintendo DS side game and the PSP side game), and it was actually a part of Assassin's Creed II. The game picked up right where two ended, and it carried the story a bit farther into the future; making way for yet another expansion to the AC2 story, a game called "Revelations" the following year.

By the time Assassin's Creed III was announced, it had already been a few years since the release of two, and fans were expecting the pattern to be repeated. Judging by the past, it seemed that once three was released, we would be getting a few expansions to the game's story, which would then buy the developers time to bring out the next big title, AC4. Well, that wasn't the case. Not too long after the third "main" title was released, Assassin's Creed IV was announced, and to make things even more shocking; it was a game that had a sub title.

Upon hearing that the next title would be in fact four, and hearing that it had the sub title "Black Flag," many fans became a bit concerned. The next major title was coming out only a year after the previous one, and up until this point the "expansion" games have all been smaller than the main title's adventure. Assassin's Creed II was much longer than Brotherhood, and Revelations was nothing more than a "copy and paste" of Brotherhood, borrowing almost every aspect of its gameplay and story set up and placing it in a new setting. Sure, three was a larger adventure, but it had been in development for years along side other games, so most expected something big; however, four was something no one had ever heard of, and its announcement just seemed to come prematurely. Still, does that really show in the game? Is Black Flag really nothing more than a side game holding the way open for a future major title? Or could it actually be the largest Assassin's Creed adventure yet? Well, lets move onto the review and find out!

The Story:

When you first put in Assassin's Creed IV, and start up the story, you are thrown right into the adventure. The very first scene of the game shows two ships on the water, in all out war. On one ship you have a guy in a strange robe, while on the other, you have a man running toward the ship's helm. This man 's name is Edward Kenway, and he is a pirate, a pirate who is being attacked by an assassin.

Once players take control of the helm of the ship, a short sea battle takes place. Cannon balls are flying, guns can be heard going off, and before long the battle turns into one of hand to hand combat. The battle may not last long, but it is an intense one; up until both ships are destroyed, and Edward is forced to swim ashore. Here is where he comes face to face with the assassin who attacked him, and it is the starting point of his journey. Unknown to Edward, this fateful meeting will change everything for him, and set not only his path in life, but also his future family's life (as seen in Assassin's Creed III).

As he lies on the beach, Edward mocks the tired assassin in a happy go lucky way. "Was it as good for you as it was for me?" At this moment it becomes clear that unlike the previous entries in the series, Assassin's Creed IV is willing to have fun with the story. It isn't a game that tries to be serious, it is a game that truly embraces the pirate way of life; the devil may care, go where the wind blows you type of life style. Edward has fun even when his life is in danger, and he isn't going to let anyone stop him from living this way. He is a man who set out on winds of fortune, and now he has come face to face with the assassin order. Here, on this island, Edward chases the assassin down, kills him, and takes his clothing; inside is a letter stating to meet with a governor, and that is what he decides to do. This governor has never seen the assassin's face before (a man we learn to be named Duncan), and because of that Edward decides to take on his name and role. The role of a run away assassin who has decided to join the governor's "Templar" faction. It seems that these templars have uncovered some sort of treasure, and Edward is determined to take it for himself. And so, begins his long journey. Soon, Edward will find himself face to face with the templars and their "evil" plans, he'll be captured and sent off in a ship he will then take for himself, he will build himself a pirate crew, and ultimately learn the ways of the assassin.

If You Love to Sail The Sea:

Unlike previous games in the Assassin's Creed series, Assassin's Creed is massive, and a true open world experience. Up until now, most games have taken place in a few large cities, and they were normally connected with smaller paths between them. Sure, Assassin's Creed III did have some large open forest areas to explore, but even that was an overall enclosed experience. With four however, them walls have now been torn down, and you are completely free to go and do as you please; it is a true pirate adventure.

Once you gain a ship an hour or so into the story, the world is your oyster. When controlling the ship you can control how wide the sails are open (which will catch the wind more and speed you up), you can steer the boat, you can order your crew to fire your canons (or any other weapons you may have), you can tell your crew to get down and brace for an impact, you can enter a faster sailing mode (which is even faster than full sails), you can salvage materials you see floating on the water, you can save people drifting at sea, and you can also let go of the helm and walk around the boat. To put it simply, you actually have full control over this ship, and you can use it to take you anywhere.

The ocean in Assassin's Creed IV is basically a massive open sandbox world for you to explore. There are islands you can land on, there are other pirates who will attack you, you can attack ships and rob their crew, you can become wanted by the navy (who will then hunt you down), you can go hunting for sharks (which will activate a hunting mini game where you must harpoon them), you can pull up along side sunken ships and dive underwater to explore them, or you can just take your time and have fun exploring; it really is up to you. The game doesn't tell you what you have to do, and the waters are filled with activities for you to partake in. If you want to attack a navy ship, feel free to do so, if you want to land on a small island and hunt for treasure, then do it! Nothing is stopping you! This game is all about the freedom of being a pirate, and because of that it can tend to feel a bit more like a pirate simulation than an Assassin's Creed game, but that doesn't mean all of the Assassin's Creed feeling is gone; a lot of it still remains, and it is the good parts at that!

The Overall Gameplay:

Once you have landed on an island, or went to a larger city (which is a series staple), the game becomes quite a bit different. Here instead of having a massive open world to explore, you will find yourself in more enclosed areas. Sure these areas are large, and are still filled with things to do, but now you will actually see some boundaries. Some towns are built around cliffs, others may be found within the deep jungle, and some are just in open areas with either water or some kind of road block keeping you from exploring farther out. This really isn't an issue however, and you still will feel like you have complete freedom in the game.

While on land you will find that there is a lot you can actually do, even more so than out on the sea. One of the big features in Assassin's Creed has always been the "free running" mechanic, and this time around it shines even more than ever. By simply holding the "run" button, Edward will be able to run at a quick and steady pace, and he'll be able to vault over objects, slide under thin spaces, scale up walls, run along tree branches, and even run along the tops of fences with ease. All of these actions are preformed seamlessly, and it is very easy to control just where Edward runs or jumps to. Everything about this mechanic just feels refined over past games, and you are less likely to run into issues or get hung up while doing them. In past games there were moments where you would try to jump from a ledge to another ledge, only to then find yourself jumping in the wrong direction; although that will still happen from time to time in four, it is less likely. Just about everything feels to have been refined, and it really helps make free running a joy. It is a simple action to pull off, but it is fun, and something you most likely will never get tired of seeing. Although, it may get you noticed by the guards as well...

If you are spotted by guards as you run through a restricted area, then you will be pulled into combat. During combat the camera will zoom out a bit to give you a wider view of the area, and you are then free to attack as you see fit. By simply hitting the attack button you can pull off some basic combos to finish off the enemy in a realistic manner, but this on its own does not always work. Enemies will parry your attacks, and they will attack you at full force as well. By using your break guard attack, you can sometimes knock the enemy off balance and strike them, but sometimes even this is not an option; especially when you are being attacked yourself. Overall the battle system in Assassin's Creed IV all comes down to watching the enemies' movements, and if done right it will result in some fast and fluid battles. Pressing the counter button the moment an enemy strikes you will result in you preforming a counter attack, one which may break another enemy's guard, tapping the attack button the moment an enemy lets down their guard will result in you landing a hit (or possibly killing them in one blow), and using the guard break the moment the enemy's guard is at the weakest will allow you to get your own attacks in for once. Each and every enemy has their own tells to tip you off on what you should do, and they can sometimes be easy or hard to spot depending on the skill of your foes... Although, the game will tell you if you're about to be shot, thanks to the "use as human shield" prompt popping up on screen which allows you to grab a nearby enemy to use as a shield.

Although the combat in Assassin's Creed has never been truly challenging, it is very flashy, and can be very fun to watch. Even when going up against a pack of weak enemies, it never gets old watching Edward pull off fancy sword play, or watching him knock enemies off of the roof or slam their heads into the ground. Everything about the combat is stylish, and because of that you may find yourself getting into more and more fights. Still, there's more than one way to go about this, and there's more than one type of weapon to use as well.

This time around, weapon switching is seamless. In Assassin's Creed III players had to hold down a button, bring up a menu, then fiddle around with it until they could select the weapon they wished to use. Well, that has all now changed, and we have returned to the style seen in the older titles (such as Assassin's Creed II). Now with the simple press of a button, you can freely switch between any of your weapons without slowing down the gameplay. While on consoles this action is mapped to the D-Pad with each of the four directions mapped to a different category of weapons, on the PC these buttons can be mapped however you like. If you want to get into a fist fight and then quickly switch over to your dual hidden blades (which are knives hidden on the underside of Edward's wrists), you can; if you want to start off using your hidden blades and then switch over to your dual swords, it is quick and easy to do so, and it does not slow down the game at all. Basically, Ubisoft has finally fixed just about every issue with the combat system from past games, and it is now fast and easy as it should be. A very much welcomed improvement.

Despite combat being one of the main aspects of the game, it is also something which can be avoided if you want to. At its heart, Assassin's Creed is a stealth series, and because of that there are a wide selection of stealth options for you to preform. The hidden blade is there to pull off fast quiet kills, you can use your fists to choke people and knock them out, or you can even use your swords for a quick messy kill as well. As long as you are not spotted, Edward will pull off a stealth kill, and it is then up to you to decide what to do from there. You can pick up bodies to hide them, you can leave them to draw attention to that specific area (and away from you), or you could even hide (such as in tall grass), and use the whistle ability to call enemies over to kill them and hide their body all at the same time. How you go about being stealthy is up to you, and in Assassin's Creed IV the mechanic works better than it ever has. Sure at time guards will still spot you and not be smart enough to realize what you are doing, but for the most part guards are a bit more quick to react, and there's a lot more ways to be stealthy to get around them. From climbing on buildings, to sneaking through grass, to blending in with the towns people, to even throwing smoke bombs; there are a wide verity of actions to preform, and they all just feel great. You will never be spotted and feel like it was the game's fault, if you are not good enough to sneak past someone; it all comes down to your skill and not some cheap detection.

The Quests:

Just like in every other Assassin's Creed game, four follows a linear story path, but it is also filled with a lot of side content. When it comes to the main story quests, Edward will find himself doing a wide verity of things. Sometimes he'll be asked to follow someone without being spotted, other times he'll need to kill someone, and once in awhile you'll even have to capture a fort or two at sea. The game does a very good job at mixing up the mission objectives, and you never really feel like you are doing the same thing twice. Now sure, you will be asked to take down a target at sea more than once, but each time you do repeat something, the game does change it up. While one sea target may be one you are simply asked to take down, another target may be one that you have to follow without being spotted, all while trying to avoid being sunk by a storm! Changes like these help keep the missions from becoming boring; which was actually something a few of the older games struggled with. This time around it seems Ubisoft finally realized they needed to keep the gameplay fresh to keep players interested, and they really did a good job of doing so.

As you complete story missions in Assassin's Creed IV, there are extra objectives you can complete as well. While some story chapters do not have any "extra" goals, most of them do. Long time Assassin's Creed fans know that most of the series actually takes place in the past, a past where the main character in the modern day is using some sort of machine to look into. This character in the modern day is basically living the life of people from the past, sort of in the form of a video game. Just like you, the player, they have control over what this character does, but everything they make them do may not be how history truly played out; this is where the extra missions come into play. Now sure, you can complete a story chapter however you want, but you can also complete it how it actually happened in "history" as well. For example, in one story section Edward may have shot someone with his gun, then pushed another guard off the roof of a building. If you want to complete the chapter how it happened in history (and receive a 100% sync bonus which unlocks special content later), you can; however it is not required. You can completely ignore how history happened, and do things your way; it is up to you. While the story missions themselves are not extremely challenging, these side objects tend to be, and they will push your skills to the fullest.

On top of story missions, there are side quests and collectible items as well. The game is loaded with treasure for you to find, and items to unlock extra content, but none of it actually has to be found, and you do not have to help the other people in the world either. If you want to help someone out you can, but you can also just focus on the game's main story as well. This is why these extra quests are called side quests, and they are not truly important to the story; however they do add to it.

In Assassin's Creed IV, side quests come in a wide verity. There are assassination contracts which have you hunting down targets, there are sunken ships for you to explore, there are forts you can attack from sea and capture for yourself, there are people who will simply ask for your help (these missions vary from person to person), there are legendary treasures for you to hunt down, and the list just keeps going on and on. The game is filled with extra content, and chances are you'll find yourself caring more about it than the story itself. Each time you set sail to go to the next main island, you WILL get distracted by something else, and you WILL want to go check it out. After twenty or so hours of exploring the world and taking part in side content, you will then realize just how massive this game truly is... And that isn't even the half of it.

The Ship, the Island, the Equipment, the Hunt:

Early on into the game, you get your ship, and a few hours later you get your very own island. While on the surface your ship is just something to get around in, and your island is just a place to call "home," in reality both serve a much greater purpose, and they have a lot more complex systems to go along with them as well. Both your ship and your island can actually be customized greatly, and they play key roles into your survival in this world. When it comes to your ship, you can buy and build new attachments for it, you can upgrade existing parts to make the ship stronger, and you can even buy parts to change how it looks; meanwhile on your island you can build new buildings (which will in return provide different perks to help you on your journey), and you can make your island grow larger in general. Customization of these sections of the game really play a major role, but they also take a lot of work to maintain as well. Just as you might have expected, nothing in this game is free, and resources do not come easy either.

In order to get resources, and money, you actually have to go out and find it yourself. There are animals throughout the world which you can hunt for resources, there are materials you can find at sea, and there's also a lot of different ways you can earn money as well. All of these different types of resources are key when it comes to upgrading your ship and island, but that's not the only use for it either. Sure your ship and island are important, but outfitting Edward is key as well. If you don't buy the latest and greatest weapons from the shop, you might find yourself up the river without a paddle, and if you don't use resources to upgrade Edward's armor, or build him new equipment, you may still find yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place. You really have to play it safe, and really think about your next plan of action. Is that next ship upgrade really going to be worth it? Or should you save that money for some better weapons for the upcoming fights? It is up to you to decide, and it is just another way Assassin's Creed IV provides you with complete freedom. While these RPG like elements have been a part of Assassin's Creed since two, this time around they are better than ever.

The Present Day:

As I mentioned above, Assassin's Creed is a series where someone in the present day is using a machine to look into someone's life in the past, and four is no different... At least not in that aspect. Up until now, the game has mostly focused on a man named Desmond Miles, an assassin who ran away from "the farm" only to be captured by templars and forced to look into the past. After his escape in the second game, the modern day story has focused on the impending doom at the end of 2012 (which has now passed both in game and in reality), and each game featured more and more of a story on his part. Brotherhood featured a town for him to explore and ruin styled levels to make your way through, Revelations featured puzzle levels, and Assassin's Creed III had full modern day assassin "levels." Either way you look at it, Desmond's role evolved greatly with each game, and that is how many fans thought it would continue; however, it did not.

This time around the main character in the modern day is an unseen character (due to these sections playing out from a first person point of view) who is meant to be "you." You are a newly hired employee at a company that deals with the entertainment business, and it is your job to look into the past at Edward's life to capture footage from it. It is a fun and easy job, and it seems like the perfect place to work. Well, at least that is what they want you to think. The truth is, this company is nothing but a bunch of templars; seeking to destroy the assassin's and meet their own goals. While the main character of the modern day does not know that, players who have played past entries in the series do. Although their goal is not clear this time around, it is very easy to tell that not everything is as it seems. After being asked to hack into someone's computer, and seeing an autopsy report, things start to take a turn. Slowly as you hack other computers (which is done so by playing mini puzzle games), and make your way throughout the story, the more you will understand, but until then, you will be left in the dark. Slowly the modern day evolves into a mystery story which you won't be able to wait to see come to an end. Especially if you've played past entries in the series and you see familiar faces working along side you.

The Multiplayer:

Ever since Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, the series has always had a multiplayer element. This multiplayer mode normally features a mini story mode (which normally tells more about the templars), and it is always based around the same sort of gameplay. The multiplayer mode of Black Flag is no different.

In the multiplayer players pick a character to play as, pick the perks/abilities they would like to use on the character, and they then enter a world where they must assassinate their targets, or complete other goals. Each level throws you into a mini open world city, and it is then up to you to figure out how to take out your target. Just about every single game mode follows the same concept, where you must hunt someone while trying to avoid being hunted yourself, and it really does take quite a bit of skill. While the city streets are filled with NPCs which look just like you, and every other player in the map, you must do what you can to blend in with them, and look for the real version of your target as well. It is a slower paced gameplay style, but nothing feels more rewarding than when you finally track down your target and go in for the kill. The better you do in this mode the more points you score, and the more points you score the more exp you gain. Once you have maxed out your exp, you will then gain a level, and over time you'll unlock more abilities to use.

Overall the multiplayer mode isn't the main focus of the game, but it is a nice fun extra for you to kill time with.

The 7th Gen and Next Gen:

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is the first game in the series to be released on 8th generation consoles, and because of that it does have some differences between the console releases. While the 7th generation console version of the game still plays the same, there are some very noticeable differences between it and the "next gen" version; however they are mostly cosmetic.

The first major difference is the fact that the PS4 version of the game runs at 1080p while the other versions run at 720p. This on its own makes the game look a lot nicer, and it will prevent 1080p televisions from upscaling the game like most of us have become used to. The image now stays nice and sharp, the textures are extremely detailed, and the game becomes complete eye candy. Now sure, the other versions of the game look nice as well, but for anyone looking for something more; this gives you a reason to check out the next gen version. Although, this is not the major improvement, nor should it be the selling point.

When you look at past Assassin's Creed games, they have always had some issues. The framerate would lag, the draw distance (how far you can see) sometimes felt short at times, towns people would magically just materialize in front of you (as well as grass and plants which would just grow out of the ground), and sometimes the loading screens just felt too long. Well, that has all been improved on now! Now sure, towns people will still pop in from time to time in the next gen versions, but it doesn't happen near as often, and the loading screens can sometimes still be long, but they are faster; however when it comes to the framerate and draw distance, they are a MAJOR improvement. The framerate never drops (or at least if it does you cannot notice it). The game runs extremely smooth, despite having much larger open areas, with highly detailed 3D models and textures. This is something most fans have wished for since the early games, and now Ubisoft has finally made it so. On top of that, the draw distance goes a lot farther as well. While at sea you may sometimes see fog in the distance to mask the limitations, while on islands you can actually see everything; from cliff wall to cliff wall. This helps make the game look a lot more realistic, and was a very much welcomed improvement as well. Still, one of the things that stand out the most about the game is actually its physics.

The 8th generation version of the game has highly realistic physics. Now sure, they aren't dead on, and when Edward jumps he still feels like he is floating at times, but none of that matters. What really stands out about the game is actually the little details, and you will often find yourself stopping just to look at them; the water is a prime example of this. The water in the 8th gen version of Assassin's Creed IV is extremely realistic. The way the waves ripple through the water, the way the water washes up on the boat and stays, the way the rain blows in the wind, the way the storms knock your boat around, and so on. The game really makes you realize just how wild the ocean truly is, and it is very clear that Ubisoft put a lot of work into getting everything just right. While in the 7th generation console version things seem a bit more calmer, the next gen version really shows what a better physics engine can do. While it isn't an important detail, it is one that really stands out, and it makes sailing much more enjoyable believe it or not.

The Good and the Bad:

Assassin's Creed IV is a game fans should not miss out on. It takes just about every good point from the previous entries in the series, and throws them all together in one big massive adventure. Most of the issues and hang ups from the past games are gone, and that makes the game a whole lot more enjoyable in general. While Assassin's Creed III had about an eight or nine hour intro before the game got started, four throws you into the action from the get go, and it never slows down. You get a ship early on, which can be heavily customized, you get your own island early on, the world is massive and completely open, the story itself is great and will keep you hooked, there is a lot of side content, it has fun multiplayer, and the game looks amazing. When it comes down to it, playing Assassin's Creed IV may ruin the previous entries in the series for you, or at least make it hard to go back to them. It was a major step forward in every way; so much that some may even feel this should have been Assassin's Creed III instead. Edward himself is a great character, and a lot of fun to play with.

Overall, the game really doesn't have any true issues. Unless you're the type of person who doesn't enjoy this sort of game, there really isn't any reason you shouldn't get it. The technical issues seen in earlier games have been fixed due to the power of next gen, but even the 7th generation versions aren't held back by what little issues there are. This game is one that did everything right, and it just may become your new favorite entry in the series. If you have a 7th generation console and you're thinking about getting an 8th gen; you might as well wait, but it really doesn't matter. It is a great game no matter what console you play it on. This is why I am giving it a solid 10/10. Good job Ubisoft, you had me worried there for a moment!

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Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

Well it's that time of year again. If you live in the United States, then chances are today is going to be a big day for you. It is a day when most people get off of work and school, families and friends meet up, and everyone reflects back on the things they are thankful for as they eat a big meal. If that is your Thanksgiving tradition, that is. No matter what you do for Thanksgiving each year, the meaning of the holiday never changes. It is a day to remember what you are thankful for, and this year, I'd like to say thank you; to all of you.

Last year at this time, Netto's Game Room was a group on the website Capcom-Unity. We had around 600 followers of the group, but it really wasn't anything special. Every once in awhile members would look at our front page, or maybe read an article or two, but the blog itself was just very small. We had around four writers (only two of which made the jump to our new location; other than myself), and a lot of our work just generally went unnoticed. We weren't a big group, and we were basically unknown, but at least we were something. The people who did come by liked what we had to offer, and everyone had fun running it. This year however, that has all changed.

Last summer we made the jump to the world wide web. We broke away from Capcom-Unity, and we became what you see here today. Now sure, we still have a long way to go before we become "big," but I would still like to say thank you; to all of you. Thank you readers for stopping by, if it wasn't for you, this blog would be nothing, and I would also like to thank everyone who stepped in to help out. What started with a small team of three, has now grown to a team of eight, and I couldn't be anymore thankful for that. What was once a blog with only a few daily visitors has turned into one which receives thousands across our different sections. Thank you everyone! For everything!

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The Retro Goat Reviews- Blazblue: Continuum Shift + Extend

This is basically a double review, of a game and it's expansion pack. As such, it is rather long. If you just want to read the review for Extend, just skip down to it's box art for the review on that. Just a small foreword of sorts.

Blazblue: Continuum Shift is a 2D fighting game, sequel to Blazblue: Calamity Trigger and is developed by Arc System Works (famous for the Guilty Gear series). Even though it's a fighting game, it's main attraction is arguably the in-depth story and complex characters, though the fighting aspect is still well done.

Story- 8/10
With it being a sequel to a game with a complex story, the story can start off a bit confusing. Though playing through the story mode will help newcomers understand what's going on, it can start off with you being totally lost about what's going on. Fans of the previous game however will have no problem figuring out the current events that are happening. As for the story itself, it's very deep and the immersion it provides is incredible. Many fighting games provide only a small amount of story to follow, but Continuum Shift's story mode is possibly the best thing about it. The story can pull off a few shocking swerves, and it further develops many of the characters, while leaving players wondering what will happen next. The complex nature is only furthered by the gray morality that most of the characters have, with having a set good or bad goal and doing whatever it takes to reach that goal. There's also multiple choices to be made in each individual characters story mode, with two to three endings being obtainable for every last one of them. It's complicated to explain, but anyone who is a fan of story heavy games and being able to make multiple choices that branch off to different paths will greatly enjoy this games story mode. As for the fighting game players who simply wish to knock out anyone they come across in the game, the arcade mode will provide just enough story so you're not lost without stalling for so long that your adrenaline is gone before the battle begins. As a side note, the story is essentially an anime that you fight through, but it's a well done story so that shouldn't be a problem to those who aren't fans of the genre.

Gameplay- 8/10
As previously stated, the game's most notable aspect is the story mode, but that doesn't mean the gameplay is lack-luster. It's a very fun game with a variety of modes for players, and has plenty to do, so the game isn't done when you beat it once with everyone. In addition to the standard Arcade and Story Modes, there's Legion Mode, which is basically just "conquer a few maps through battling with your team of choice" and Score Attack, which is only for the most advanced players who can handle the hardest the game can throw at them. The modes aren't exactly innovative, but they're all done quite nicely and are very enjoyable to play through. Though there are two notable issues. The first one is the boss fight at the end of Arcade. With Score Attack, you know it's supposed to be absurdly difficult, so nothing wrong with it fulfilling that purpose. However, the final boss of Arcade Mode is incredibly difficult, regardless of skill, and though he can become a bit predictable if you've fought him enough times, he'll still cause a serious challenge. While I wouldn't say tone it down, they do use cheap tactic or two that greatly adds to the challenge that he provides that can and will bring great deal of frustration to the player. The other issue is that the ending isn't heavily changed between characters, so you don't get the feeling that there's any real point to beating it with everyone if you're just gonna get the same exact ending. It's the only time any story related content is lackluster, but it still leaves the player slightly disappointed and wanting more. However the core gameplay is extremely addictive and a great deal of fun, and it goes above and beyond the standard fighting game experience.

Controls- 10/10
The control of the game is extremely accurate and responsive, and easy to learn as well. The fighting style is similar to Street Fighter, with quarter-circle this and that to do special moves and whatnot, so it's pretty easy to adapt to this control scheme, as many fighting game players have played Street Fighter. It's simple to learn and difficult to master, which is a very fine line, and it gives newcomers the ability to jump right in and know what to do. The special moves are easy to perform, but not so easy that you can do one move over and over, the special match ending moves, called Astral Heat, is incredible to see if you manage to pull them off (don't worry, it's under strict restrictions and only for the match ending round, so you won't just randomly lose at the beginning of the fight), and the layout works well for both PS3 and Xbox 360 players. To put it simply, the controls are as responsive as possible, and they probably couldn't be improved on.

Graphics- 8/10
The game is in anime-style graphics, so they can get very detailed and interesting. The character designs are pretty unique and easy on the eyes, and the variety in how the stages look make sure that there's not an immediate sense of repetition. The Astral Heats, those aforementioned match ending moves, are absolutely phenomenal to watch whenever they're performed and never get tiresome to see. However, the game does run into an issue that many anime-style games have, where character models seem limited in how many different emotions will be shown during the dialogue. There's enough variety so it doesn't look lazily done, but it seems that each character has around six to eight expressions. The other issue is that the actual cutscenes look terrible. The characters are off-model, they look pretty unusual, and there are only a few legitimate cutscenes, so it feels disappointing that most of them aren't too spectacular. However, that's the fault of the animation studio, Gonzo, rather than the actual development team so I won't hold it against Arcs System Works for something beyond their control. For the most part, the graphics are visually appealing and serve to better the overall experience that Blazblue: Continuum Shift provides.

Sound- 10/10
To summarize, both the voice acting and the soundtrack is as perfect as they can be, with the closest thing to a flaw being that you can't listen to the full songs in the game. The voice acting is done by very gifted professionals, a who's-who of voice actors, and they really help make the characters all the more likable. Their acting is superb, and they each make their character's traits either more enjoyable or more haunting. As for the soundtrack, the songs are a lot of fun to listen to, and they each sound unique and wonderful at expressing each character or situation. They really can't be improved upon, and that's a not a feat commonly accomplished for the sound aspects of a game.

Replay Value- High
There is plenty to do in this game, and a number of things to unlock. It isn't something you can just blaze through and be done with in a single weekend, especially if you want to get good at the game. The story mode alone can take a few days to get through with everyone if you don't skip through the between-fight cutscenes. With every fighting game, the length varies with how skilled you are, but there's definitely a huge amount to do. It's also a game you'll pop into your system multiple times, and you won't just play it once.

Buy or Borrow?
If you're a fan of fighting games in general, this one's a must. It's a very well done and underrated game that should be played by a much higher amount of fighting games fans. If you're not a fighting game fan but you're intrigued by the story, you may want to borrow it to see if you will enjoy the fighting aspect for this game, but I'd still recommend buying it if you think you'll have no problem enjoying all that this game has to offer.

Overall, Blazblue: Continuum Shift is an impressive title that improves from the last game while adding enough for newcomers to enjoy. It's definitely a fun game to play, and it's an experience that won't instantly be forgotten. Any fighting game fan should try it out, and fans of immersive stories and multiple endings based on your decisions should check it out as well. It's an amazing game and you won't be disappointed. But there is an expansion, an "Ultimate Edition" so to speak.

Blazblue: Continuum Shift Extend is the updated version of Blazblue: Continuum Shift, with all DLC added and extra chapters in the story for the new characters. It features new cutscenes and tries to balance out the gameplay, and is much better for newcomers to start at. As it's essentially an expansion pack, the things that will be covered are simply what's added.

Story- 9/10
The story is improved upon, with the new characters getting relatively in-depth development, as well as being seamlessly added into the plot. The new characters were NPCs from the previous games, so it's only natural that they fit in so well, but it's still nice that their stories aren't confusing and generally don't feel tacked on. Besides that, the best part is what they call the "Calamity Trigger Reconstruction", which is a playable summary of the previous game. It really helps newcomers understand the plot of Continuum Shift, and returning players shouldn't have a problem going through it as it isn't tedious or annoying. They also expand on the characters and factions, and really make the story more enjoyable. Overall they took arguably the best aspect of the game and improved it greatly, and the work the development team put into it really shows.

Gameplay- 8/10
First off, the new characters are once again seamlessly added into the gameplay, and their fighting styles fit perfectly into the overall play style of Blazblue. They're welcomed additions, and really do fit right in. The game modes are also improved upon, with a more interesting mode, Abyss Mode, replacing Legion Mode. Where Legion Mode was a somewhat tedious conquer by force type of mode, Abyss mode is essentially a survival mode. You can improve your stats to make your character a better fighter, as well as purchase certain boosters to help keep you alive and fighting. It's a much more enjoyable mode than Legion, and I find myself challenging it's multiple difficulty levels over and over again. The other new addition is called Unlimited Mars Mode. While Score Attack is still in this game, it's been toned down to be a bit more easy to beat. Unlimited Mars Mode however will only be beaten by the more elite players, and is certainly not something you can just jump in and hope for the best. It's a nice addition, and I like that it allows Score Attack to be more accessible to all players, while Unlimited Mars is almost like a hard mode for Score Attack. The final change is pretty noticeable to completionists, the gallery. One thing Extend changes is that you can now level up and unlocked more content to purchase, which is always fun, but it's done in a way where it's most beneficial for those who bought Extend before playing the regular version. You level up by simply beating all the different characters Story Modes, as well as their Arcade Modes, so it's pretty easy to understand, but it only affects the gallery. Now you can unlock new costumes, powered up versions of the fighters, called Unlimited (character name), which makes unlocking everything much easier. My main gripe with it though is that the game does not automatically level you up based on what you did in the standard version of Continuum Shift, so all the points you would have gotten from playing through Story and Arcade Mode is gone and have to be re-acquired. You also need to beat Arcade Mode with each character again to re-unlock their ending, which is rather frustrating if you made a decent amount of progress. You also, strangely enough, have to re-unlock the videos from Story Mode, but not the images. It may sound like a nitpick, but it does get annoying doing the same thing twice just to unlock the new content, as opposed to having it available from the start. As a side note, the controls are unaltered and remain very nicely done and accurate, and the new characters don't have any nuisances that are common in added on content.

Graphics- 9/10
The graphics are improved upon from the previous game, if by a subtle amount. Any new cutscene is now much better looking, there's a greater variety of character models and costume colors, and the graphics are just overall improved on. The added on characters are also nicely done, and had no trouble going from NPCs in the previous games to playable characters.

Sound- 8/10
Here's where the game really scales back. With this being an updated re-release, new dialogue had to be recorded and not all of the characters original voice actors reprising their roles. The most notable change is the main villains voice being very noticeably changed. Where the original voice actor made the character sound suave and malevolent, sadistic and oh so charismatic, the added on cutscenes with the new voice actor just make him sound like a whiny brat. It's a stark contrast and considering he's heavily featured, it gets annoying pretty fast. The other change was the title theme. I thought the original one was well done and really cool, while the new one isn't bad per se, it feels like an unnecessary step down from the original. These may sound like nitpicks, but it really is a noticeable change that can come as a disappointment to fans. They may not be able to control if the voice actor returns, but they can find someone who doesn't sound like a completely different person.

Replay Value- Very High
With the new amount of unlockable content as well as the new modes to enjoy, Extend has a higher replay value than it's predecessor, which had a huge number of things to do. If you're starting the series with this game, you'll have a huge amount to do and experience, and a wide variety of things to accomplish. If you played through the previous Continuum Shift game, you'll still have some things to do as a number of things are updated and there's plenty to unlock that wasn't previously there. It all depends on how much you played the original version of Continuum Shift, but there is plenty of things to do in this game.

Buy or Borrow?
If you never played a Blazblue game before, then this is an amazing start. If you never owned Continuum Shift, then I'd recommend skipping over it in favor of Extend, as the additional content is a lot of fun, and they don't take away anything that will be really missed, that they can control at least.

Blazblue: Continuum Shift Extend is a great expansion pack, and works just even better as a standalone title. If you're a fighting game fan then it's a must own. If you've played the previous Continuum Shift then you should still check this game out, as the added on content is a great addition to the series. It really shows the positives and mostly takes out the negatives, with any poor change being made due to reasons beyond their control. It's a great fighting game that takes the best of the series and makes it even better, and provides an even more addictive experience that can't be completed in a small amount of time. It's a great game and one any fighting game fan should check out.

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CJ's random corner: Kung fu Cooking girls original animation movie.

Hello there my dear readers! Welcome to another edition of my random corner! A good friend of mine found a awesome video made by a indie animation studio called WolfSmoke. They spent a ridiculous amount of time for a indie company, to get this animation to look interesting and gorgeous; Here have a look at it for yourself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY9Kndy0ZMs

Many of you may know that I really enjoy animation in general, and this one was a treat for the eyes, a lot of motion and awesome faces on the characters. I just kept on watching because I wanted to see how many action scenes and faces the creators could come up with, in pretty creative ways.

Man this video made me hungry though, lets see what other treats WolfSmoke will cook up for us in the future.

That's all from me readers! Have a awesome day!

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The Persona "Spin Offs"

A few days ago we announced that the Persona 5 trailer had finally been released; however, that is not the only Persona news we had to share. The truth is, all next winter Persona will be hitting just about every console in one form or another. While the PlayStation 3 will be getting Persona 5, others will be getting Persona side games and spin offs. So, with that being said, lets break each one down!

Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth

Persona Q is the previously announced "SMT: Persona" for the Nintendo 3DS. For quite some time we've known that a game would be coming out for the system, but information had been very limited. Some rumors stated that it would be a remake or port of the original games, while others were starting to think that it may in fact be Persona 5; well, it looks like everyone was wrong.

In reality, Persona Q is a new spin off title which serves as a full crossover between Persona 3 and Persona 4. The game features the younger version of both casts, it uses a chibi art style, and the gameplay is said to closer to that of a "true" dungeon crawler (along the lines of Atlus' other series Etrian Odyssey). Atlus announced that it will keep a lot of the same mechanics in place, but at this time we do not know all of the details.

When it comes to the story, there is a pretty good chance that this is completely non canon. The story takes place during Persona 4's cultural festival where a mysterious bell begins to ring. This bell is heard by both the Persona 4 cast, as well as the Persona 3 cast (which should be much older and out of school at this point in the story), and they then find themselves in a huge tower fighting shadows (the main enemies from the Persona series).

For more information, check out the trailer below.


Persona 4: The Ultimax Ultra Suplex Hold

The second "spin off" title to be announced is a follow up to last years "Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena" (aka, Persona 4 Arena). Just like the previous game, this one is a 2D fighter, and it takes place after the normal ending of Persona 4, tying together both Persona 3 and Persona 4. Unlike Persona Q, this game is in fact canon, and is a true sequel to the "sequel" of Persona 4. The game is said to pick up right after the events of Persona 4 Arena, but at this moment we do not know a specific point in time. Considering the characters appear younger, chances are it takes place before the Golden ending of Persona 4 Golden.

For more information, once again, check out the trailer below.


Persona 4: Dancing all Night

The final spin off title to be announced is one that is completely shocking. It's not that it is that strange or anything, its just that it isn't something you would expect them to do. So, just what is this game? Well... The title should say it all. Persona 4: Dancing all Night.

It is no secret that the Persona series has some great music. Just about everything about the newer entries just "pops," and the music just really helps set the mood. Walking down the streets in the game just really felt right, and a lot of the catchy tunes could easily get stuck in your head. Overall, the music of Persona just really caught on, and even today they still have Persona concerts in Japan.

The game's story takes place a year after Persona 4, and Rise has returned to the world of entertainment. Soon rumors begin to circulate about a strange video on a strange site which will transport you to the "other side." As people begin to vanish in the real world, the main characters from Persona 4 decide to step in and get to the bottom of things. This is when they enter the "Mayonaka Stage" where they must face off in dance battles against the shadows behind the whole ordeal. Overall, this game's story may in fact be canon, but it doesn't change the fact that it is a spin off.

For more information, well, you know the drill.


Well that about covers it for the Persona spin offs! As stated above, these games will all be coming around winter of next year, and they are on a verity of consoles. Persona Q is a 3DS exclusive, Persona 4 Arena's sequel is on the PS3 (considering Arc System Works has no plans on releasing games for Microsoft systems at this time, it may remain a PS3 exclusive; unlike Persona 4 Arena), and Dancing all Night will be on the PlayStation Vita.

If you're a Persona fan, then next year really is something you should look forward to!

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Persona 5 Teaser Trailer

For quite some time now the video game company Atlus has been talking about the newest entry in their popular Persona series; however, they never really did tell us anything about it. We've known that the game has been in development, they announced that the themes the game would deal with have already been worked out, and they also hinted that it would be on an HD console. Other than that, our only real hint at what the future would bring was found in Persona 4 Arena; a game which united the characters from Persona 3 and 4, and introduced a new unseen enemy. Well, that has now all changed!

Atlus has officially released the first teaser trailer for Persona 5. While the trailer doesn't show much, it does have some pretty good hints at what is to come. Check it out below!


It is official. Persona 5 will be a PlayStation 3 exclusive, it will apparently have 5 "lead" characters, and it seems to deal with some sort of prison theme. Are these 5 characters a mix of those from Persona 3 and 4? Or are they completely new original characters? That's something yet to be seen, but at least we now know a little something about the game; a game that will be released Winter of next year (2014) in Japan!

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Xbox One - Out Now!

The day has finally come. After a long wait, the Xbox One has finally hit store shelves in the west. Thousands of gamers lined up outside local stores across the nation, and now they are finally home playing their long awaited console. Although not all of the Xbox One's features are available at launch, don't let that stop you! If you are a fan of Microsoft, or just a big gamer in general, this is a console you'll want to check out. From exclusives such as Dead Rising 3, to multiplatform games like Assassin's Creed IV, the Xbox One has it all.

Even if you are not a gamer, the Xbox One also acts as a media center. From watching live TV shows, to streaming movies, the Xbox One is the ultimate media experience for your living room. Thanks to its ability to connect to other devices, it has a wide verity of features that are not what you would call "standard." Yes, this includes connectivity to the PlayStation 4 as well. Despite being "rivals," the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 can work side by side (which Microsoft confirmed prelaunch); so don't let owning one console stop you from getting the other. When it comes down to it, you could get your favorite games on the PlayStation 4, get the Xbox One exclusives, and then use the Xbox One as a general media center. You get the best of both worlds, working side by side; as it should be.

So, with that being said, I hope you all have fun with your new console!

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Battlefield 4 - PS4 Big Fix Coming Soon

If you watched our Assassin's Creed IV and Battlefield 4 live stream yesterday, then chances are you noticed some issues with Battlefield 4. There were times where we were kicked out of matches, random spikes of heavy lag, and there were quite a few times where kills were not even registered with the server. Well, all of these are common "known" bugs for the PS4 version of the game, and they are just some of the things PS4 owners have had to put up with; well, that is until next week!

Today DICE officially announced a brand new update for the PS4 version of Battlefield 4 on their official website. The update will be out "for the week of Nov 25," and they have confirmed that it will fix a few of the major issues with the game. Although we do not have full details over what this upcoming patch will fix, at least we know for sure that one is coming very soon.

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The Retro Goat Reviews- Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity is a console style dungeon crawler RPG, the third generation in the Mystery Dungeon spin off, and the first one to involve the fifth generation of Pokemon. It is also a very changed game than the previous ones, and it's quickly grown a bit of controversy for it. It's the first Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game on the 3DS, and after this game, I'm a bit concerned for its future.

Story- 5/10
 
The story is the same, with you being a human who is randomly changed into a Pokemon, who after being found by another Pokemon, goes on a few journeys that will progressively turn into saving the world. It's the same exact backstory as the previous entries, and the rest of the story doesn't play out to change a huge deal. It's also gone back to being slightly more childish, which is arguably a step back after the dark plot of the previous games. It does get to be a bit dark when things turn bleak, but it doesn't give a rich story like the other games. One of my biggest complaints, besides the lack of an exciting plot, is how weak the dialogue is. For one, they absolutely refuse to use the word "die" or any similie to it. It's always "disappear" or "not moving" or my favorite, "Is he......" as opposed to actually saying dead. It's just annoying, and it doesn't help to enjoy the games story at all. Another dialogue issue is how characters just come off so wooden.Almost no one is particularly annoying, they just don't have much of a personality. There is one annoying character though, and that's Emolga. Emoglas attitude and personality can be best described as Scrappy Doo from Scooby Doo. Acts big and tough, but really just a big worthless joke. Unfortunately, you're forced to use the weak and worthless Emolga at certain points in the game for combat, but I'll get to that later. Overall, the story is just bland and unentertaining, and though it's never too bad or painful, it just isn't nearly as exciting as the previous games in the series, simply because any past player has already seen it all. There needs to be some change, instead of using the same formula over and over again.

Gameplay- 3/10

They changed a huge amount of the gameplay aspect for this game. The most noticeable is that they took away one of the biggest draws to all of the Pokemon games: obtaining all Pokemon. This game uses Pokemon from the generation most recent prior to its release, generation five, which has a total of 649 Pokemon. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity has less than 140 recruitable Pokemon. The previous game had 491. This is a major step back, and not the only thing changed. The second major step back is changing how the player character is decided. In previous games, a quiz was taken to determine what Pokemon you were. In this one, you just choose. It takes away a bit of the fun, as the somewhat random deciding made the overall experience more unique. Also the only characters you can choose are the generation five starters, Pikachu, and Axew. Chalk it up to the amount of Pokemon removed from the game, and it's another factor to the lack of enjoyment that the series provided. The third and final huge step back is the removal to do multiple missions at the same time. In the previous games, you could do multiple missions as long as they were in the same dungeon. That's gone. No real reason, it's just massive padding. They also took away the hunger aspect, which was a common theme to the series. It may not be a bad thing that it's gone, but it's a big change. Those are the four drastic changes to the game. There are a few others, such as being able to level up moves so they can do more damage or have more accuracy, a nice change, but nothing as noticeable as the aforementioned issues. It's just plain bad, and without any reason besides possibly memory restraints. The one overall good change that this game gives is that every member gets experience now, including the party members that didn't go on missions. It's a nice addition, and helps make each character more use-able as opposed to just the Pokemon that you bring with you all the time. Still, one step forward and three steps back is no way to go, and it seriously affected this game in a very negative manner.

Difficulty- 6/10

The game is fairly easy for the most part, but the difficulty is increased by things the game forces on you. For example, when the story is near progression you can no longer perform random missions for experience or money. The other thing that comes to mind in fake difficulty is forcing you to use joke characters in actual battle, which only results in you dying more often than you should. This is during story missions, which means you've got no choice but to go along with it for the main story. Aside from this, the game is pretty. There's never a balanced medium, it's always either too easy or too pointlessly difficult.

Graphics- 9/10

The game shines in the graphics department, to the point where I think the graphics are the reason so many Pokemon aren't in this game. The graphics are very impressive, with the Pokemon being displayed in full 3D models and the stages looking very detailed as well. Each Pokemon looks very detailed, and really shows progression over the years. It's all great looking, and possibly the best aspect about this game. The graphics don't have much room for improvement, and I'm interested to see how they'd improve upon them.

Sound- 8/10

The soundtrack for the game is also nice, and while occasionally sounding a bit repetitive does still add to the overall experience in a positive way. It also does a good job of adding to the setting without being so loud and obvious that it takes away from any emotion the situation would have. The only real issue with them is that some of them lack any distinct quality, and is just standard background music. As for the sound effects themselves, they're growing more varied with how the moves sound. Each one sounds like an actual sound effect, such as a fire attack actually sounding like fire instead of a crappy imitation. Not saying they sound like real life, but they're not meant to. The sound is really good, and they're improving more and more with each game.

Replay Value- Slim

There isn't much to do with this game once you've beaten it, as there are no special missions to complete after the game is beaten. Another change from previous games, but I digress. Due to the relatively poor story, it's not one that's fun to beat multiple times either. The replay value exist, but only if you're really bored and want to try beating it with a different character. Overall, there isn't much reason to play this game after you've beaten it, nor is there much reason to beat the game multiple times.

Buy or Borrow?

You may want to borrow it to play a little, or try the demo, but I'd recommend against buying it. To each their own, and some may enjoy this game, but a majority of the longtime fans would not. As for newcomers, I highly recommend the last game set, as it's simply better. If you want to buy it, I seriously suggest testing it out in some manner before playing it.

All in all, the game is pretty bad. It changed far too much of the gameplay, and didn't change enough of the story. It's just burdened by needless issues that were non-existent in the previous games. This one had a great amount of potential, but it just fell flat, and it's unfortunately not worth the play. Here's to hoping that the next game, if it comes out, improves these issues otherwise this spin off will be doomed.

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