Namco Bandai’s Tales of Graces f is an HD-port of Tales of Graces , a Wii game that was released back in 2009. It features essentially the same game content with upgraded visuals, plus a complete extension ( f in the game title refers to Future ) called “Lineage and Legacies”. I have to admit that I haven’t played a lot of Tales of games prior to this one; the only other I played is Tales of Symphonia for the Gamecube a few years ago, and I wasn’t really a fan of the series back then. However, after a few hours in this really cool Action-JRPG, I was really impressed by how fun this game is! Tales of Graces f Opening Cinematic Story [Spoiler-free] The story focuses on Asbel, the young heir of the Lhant family, and his friends. The prologue takes place while all the main characters and their friends are children and gives an insight on both their backgrounds and their own motivations. After a few hours, the story fast forwards a few years in the future, when the characters are young adults. This is when the main story takes place. At first, friendship is the story-driving element, but it soon unfolds to a greater scale, where Ephenia — the planet — is at risk. It might sound like a typical Japanese-RPG, but the story is very well-written and will keep you up later than usual! Gameplay Tales of Graces f features a fast-paced Action-RPG battle system that is easily the greatest highlight of the game! Your battle party consists of four characters, one of which you control. Each party member has is own attack pattern, so switching from a character to another completely changes the battle gameplay. Enemies are always visible on the field (no random encounters) and most of them can be avoided if you want to go quickly from point A to point B. As for the battle system itself, your attacks consist of “Attack” and “Burst” Artes, and can be fully customized to your liking by assigning them to buttons on the controller. An awesome feature is how you can change the assignments in real-time right in the heat of the battle when you realize your setup needs adjustments for a specific enemy. Each attack requires a set amount of CC (stamina), and attacks can be chained until your available CC runs out. A chained attacks uses more CC than the previous one, but they also yield more damage. Luckily, it replenishes very quickly in battle while guarding or by moving. This is great because it prevents the battle system from falling into button mashing and requires strategy! Finally, for those of you who like to play with friends, Tales of Graces f offers a much welcomed local multiplayer feature in which each player can control a different party member. Battle difficulty can also be raised if you want more of a challenge, up to 4 levels harder than the default. Rising the difficulty gives more Experience, Skill Points and rare item drops, so there are plenty of good reasons to switch! Content Another big highlight of the game is the sheer amount of content it includes! The world is huge, and when a typical JRPG title would last around 25-35h, this game features a 60h-long campaign, plus a ton of side-quests. It even comes with a 10h in-disc extension called “Lineage & Legacies” that becomes available once the main quest has been completed. There are also a lot of optional and hidden cut-scenes that are often related to the story progression or that appear randomly at the battle victory screen. Some of them are really humorous and actually made me laugh! This game even includes a very easy to use “Dualizing” system, which allows you to mix two items to create a totally new one! Audio / Video In Tales of Graces f , Japanese culture is really prominent. The game features cut-scenes, videos and characters all in anime. The characters are likeable and their voice acting is also usually very good. However, there are no options to switch the voices back into their original version, which was quite a deception. The soundtrack is both good and expansive! For example, each continent has its own field and battle theme. The rendering engine uses cell-shading and is as beautiful as it is polished. Landscapes are gorgeous, frame rate is rock-solid and transitions from field to battle are instantaneous. There are a few loading times when switching from one zone to another, but they’re minimal thanks to the game installation on the PS3. Final thoughts It had been a while since I played a game with such a strong story and with a fun and rewarding battle system. With a gorgeous game engine, a campaign lasting around 70h, local multiplayer and lots of unlockables, everything in Tales of Graces f has been done with the player in mind. Namco Bandai delivered an awesome game, and I can’t wait for more iterations of the Tales of series on the PS3. Review Pros Cons Lots of content on a single disc, 70h+ campaign Extremely pleasant, progressive and rewarding battle system Interesting and well-told story Local multiplayer and adjustable difficulty No Japanese voices available Rating 90% Cost: $59.99 You can purchase Tales of Graces f from Amazon.com here . Disclaimer Total amount of time played: 74 hours. Game was completed before writing this review. This review is based off of a retail copy of the game purchased by reviewer

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[PS3 Review] Tales of Graces f

Velocity lives up to fond memories of shoot ‘em-up classics, and you can Teleport too! Featuring genre-busting gameplay innovation and music from Joris de Man (Killzone, N+), Velocity plays like a dream and sounds incredible. In 2212 the distant star Vilio exploded into a red giant, sending an electromagnetic pulse surging into our deep space mining ships, colony cruisers and Special Forces fighters, knocking out their primary power. Now the star is beginning to collapse into a black hole, pulling our stranded fleets to their doom. To make things worse, our warring neighbors have seen reward in our misfortune and have deployed scavengers to prey upon our people! Only one craft is capable of a rescue mission, the Quarp Jet – a spacecraft capable of teleportation! Take control of the world’s first quantum teleport craft in this innovative shooter, using a range of teleport controls to outsmart enemies, solve action based puzzles and rescue helpless survivors from their deep space hideaways. You’ll learn everything you need to know during your first missions, and you better pay attention! Rescuing survivors, boosting, destroying all hostiles, avoiding insta-death laser fields, they are all part of the game, and you must learn how, when and why you must do all this in order to succeed. There are three different types of missions in the game: Search and Rescue, Hostile Forces and Urgency. They are different from one another since new elements are added for each one to keep you coming back for more. For example, one Search and Rescue mission will require you to destroy color coded security energy fields in order to reach the survivors. And, eventually, you’re tasked with more than one objective, such as destroying Hostile Forces while rescuing survivors while warping all over the place AND boosting to make it to the end on time! There are checkpoints on each level in case you are destroyed by your enemies or the obstacles and walls of each level press you against the bottom. There is also a timer and, depending on how fast you are at completing each level, you’ll be rewarded with experience points to increase your rank overall rank. You also get an experience bonus depending on your score, a well as the number of survivors you rescue, and you can replay any level to try and increase your experience points, as well as to obtain a gold medal for a perfect level total. For example, during a Seek and Rescue Mission you can focus on completing the level and rescuing all survivors during your first try, and then focus on quickly completing the level during your second run, and the game won’t force you to do it all at the same time thanks to the autosave after completing each level. BUT, if you want that perfect medal, you have to do everything (score, survivors and time requirements) on a single run. And what is all the experience you gain used for? Why, for unlocking new levels! If you don’t succeed, then you can’t make it to the last mission. Two new abilities are introduced later in the game, keeping things interesting until the end. On mission 15 you are given a level map and the ability to drop telepods by hitting the triangle button, and each level has a limit on how many you can drop, bringing a new degree of strategy to the game. By opening your map, you can return to the telepod that you dropped, which means you can use one when the road splits in two (or three!), and then return to the pod to take a new path and rescue more survivors, or take care of the next security switch in the set. There is also a hidden yellow crystal (or two) in some levels, and they are used to unlock even more extra missions on top of the already available 50 main ones! Velocity even provides some extras: a program called Mines on which you search for active explosive mines on a field, in order to deactivate them; a complete profile on each Hostile you will meet during your quest, giving you insight into their defense, their attack power, speed and agility; a huge in-game trophy system that awards you medals for achieving several objectives such as obtaining a perfect score on every zone, reaching the end of the game, or killing a certain number of enemies by flinging side bombs at them; it even has a functional calculator for your math needs! Velocity is a very welcome entry in the Shoot-em-up genre, and it improves over other games by providing fresh elements that make this a release that all fans of the genre should own. The fast paced action, different types of missions, weapons and power ups make this a great digital offering you can take with you on your PS portable of choice, or enjoy at home on the PS3. Review Pros Cons Fun game that evolves the shoot-em-up genre. Great music Messages take some much needed space on the bottom screen Rating 94% Cost – $4.99 Disclaimer The game was completed before writing this review Total amount of time played: 4 hours This review is based on a PS3/PSP copy of Velocity provided by FuturLab.

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[minis review] Velocity

When I first watched the preview behind the concept of Datura, I was very excited. I am a sucker for innovative and artistic games. I crave games that challenge my moralities and keep me guessing until the very end. Datura is like nothing I’ve ever played. It is a psychological thriller inside the twisted mind of a man, that feels more of an interactive experience than an actual game. The bizarre story and rich environment will keep you hooked the entire time. Unfortunately, the time spent in this magical dream is disrupted, on many occasions, by the lack of deep and fluid controls. The Story The plot starts building up from the moment you wake up inside the back of an ambulance. You wonder how you ended up here. The story will take you on a journey inside the mind of the main character. There are different segments you can interact with, and each segment will lead into a new chapter. Completing all segments in an area will grant you access into a new one and so on. At first it worked perfectly for me. There are a few clever puzzles and some challenging, bizarre sequences. I put down the controller at some point and wondered what the heck am doing! It was a fulfilling experience in terms of the presentation, the sound, the beautiful environment and the disturbingly shocking sequences. The only problem is .. It only lasted for 90 minutes! The Gameplay I’d like to point that I’ve played Datura with a DualShock controller. The game offers full support for PlayStation Move and a 3D screen. The controls can easily be described as frustrating. There are many sequences in the game where I had to twist the controller in a 360 degree and shake my entire body till I felt sick. Even the simplest gestures of reaching into objects or walking in the forest were hardly simple. I’ve considered turning off my PS3 and cursed my PlayStation Plus discount, but my anxiousness to finish the game and see how the story ends kept me going the entire 90 minutes, only to be disappointed by the unsatisfying ending. I don’t know if playing with the PS Move would make a huge difference (it might since turning my wrist versus turning the whole Dualshock 3 could improve things overall), but I have to do a review of what I played and how I played, not on how things could have been. I wished the developer had taken more time before releasing the game. It had lots of potential to be among the finest unique gems on the PlayStation Network. It also makes you wonder if this is what the future holds for digitally distributed games: a short campaign and a unique interactive experience with driven motives for exploration. Final Thoughts Datura is not your casual PSN release. It is entirely different from anything you’ve played. The description of Datura on Wiki, a poisonous plant that causes hallucinations and heart attacks, suits this game perfectly. Regardless of the short time I spent in Datura’s world, the ridiculously frustrating controls were always dragging this incredibly unique experience from becoming memorable. Review Pros Cons Unique Experience Beautiful Environments Frustrating Controls Incredibly Short Disappointing Ending Rating 55% Datura is available on the PlayStation Network for $9.99. PlayStation Plus subscribers get a discount at $7.99 Disclaimer This review is based on a PS3 copy of Datura developed by Plastic Studios and Published by SCE.

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[PSN Review] Datura

In a lawless, post-apocalyptic world, Wheels of Destruction: World Tour pits you in a kill- or-be-killed competition of extreme four-wheel wreckage. This arcade-style, third-person multiplayer shooter features team death matches, free-for-alls, and capture-the-flag frenzies. You’ll battle to crush opponents, slaying everything in your path of relentless devastation, both online and off. Wheels of Destruction is an Online “Cars vs Cars fighting to the death” game where everything can happen at the wrong place, at the wrong time. You have to be on guard at every moment because an opponent might sneak up on you while you’re busy chasing that armored car that has been getting all the points for the match, or you might end up flying to your death after being shot with a missile while trying to make a precise, long distance jump towards another area of the map. You have 6 different cars to choose from, and they each have strengths and weaknesses. You have your “all balanced” type of car, and the other are better at offense, defense, speed, durability and jet power. Depending on the game mode you’re playing, you will find that one or two cars are better for the task at hand. Unlike other similar genre games, in Wheels of Destruction you are allowed to switch cars after every time you’re destroyed, which means that no game is ever like the rest. You might be winning by a landslide and everyone switches to the right car type for the job and starts to hunt you down. No one likes the guy in first place! Finding an online match takes only a couple of seconds since you just have to click and search and you’re ready to go! It is easier if you’re not picking and only want to find a specific match type, since the wider you cast your net, the easier it is to find a group of drivers you can call friends or enemies. In case you’re more of a single player kind of gamer, you can still enjoy the game in offline mode and bots (computer controlled A.I. cars) will take the place of the human drivers you’re used to fighting. Wheels of Destruction – World Tour brings us a fun online heavy game that won’t make a dent on your wallet. The map and car variety, the available game modes, and the inclusion of an off-line mode round up a package that, while not perfect, will give you a LOT to do in exchange for your digital purchase. Review Pros Cons Fun game at a low price. All cars truly feel different Requirements for trophies are just plain crazy and hard to keep track off Rating 75% Cost – $9.99 Disclaimer This review is based on a PS3 copy of Wheels of Destruction – World Tour provided by Gelid Games.

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[PSN Review] Wheels of Destruction – World Tour

Listen up everybody! We are giving away two brand new copies of the Jak and Daxter HD Collection. One lucky winner in the US and one lucky winner in Europe will walk away with this fantastic title. Now this giveaway will be a little different than any we’ve had in the past, so read on carefully. In order to get 10 more entries & to better your chances to win this prized gem of a collection, all you have to do is create and submit a homemade recipe for Dark Eco to our Facebook or Twitter pages. For details on how to redeem your bonus entries, click here .   PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW IS YOU PREFER THE UK OR USA COPY OF THE GAME.   You will have until May 25, 2012 to enter this giveaway, so get started now! A huge thanks go out to SCEE for providing us with the European copy of the game, as well as to PS3blog.net owner Tosh for providing us with the US one. Please like & follow them on Facebook & Twitter. It’s because of them we are having this giveaway! So show them some love. Follow @Naughty_Dog [Worth up to 1 Entry] Purchase ticket for 75 Points for a entry into the giveaway. Here are all the possible ways to earn points . [Worth 1 Entry] Like the giveaway post on the giveaway entry page (not the actual post itself) via Facebook. Then post a comment to your facebook wall from the giveaway entry page. [EARN 50 Points] [Worth 1 Entry] Follow @ps3blogdotnet on Twitter. Then there will be a tweet button. You just have to click that & tweet the exact text in the pop-up . Then a notification will pop up saying your entry was successful. [EARN 50 Points] [Worth 1 Entry] Use the Google +1 button on the giveaway entry page (not the actual post itself), then share on your Google+ profile to complete your entry. [EARN 50 Points] [Worth 1 Entry] First, be a fan of our our Facebook page . At the top you will see a Giveaway box. Go there and click the “Enter Contest” button for your Facebook PS3Blog.net Fan Page entry. Note: Make sure you’re logged into PS3Blog.net before you click the button. [EARN 25 Points] [Worth 1 Entry] Subscribe to our YouTube Channel . We will post a bulletin. Follow the link & it will count as your YouTube entry. Note: Make sure you’re logged into PS3Blog.net before you click the link. [EARN 25 Points] [Bonus 3 Entries] After you have purchased at least 1 ticket you are eligible for video entries. Make a video saying why you want to win. It can be funny, unique, strange, etc. Have fun with it. Include PS3Blog.net and the name of the item being given away in your video & in the title of the video. Then use the button above to submit your video for review. Also leave a comment below with a link to your YouTube video. [EARN 60 Points] Here are the most recent YouTube video entries for all giveaways on PS3Blog.net with the most recent ones displayed first.

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[Giveaway] Jak and Daxter HD Collection

Judgment day is at hand, and it’s time for a showdown with the guy downstairs to bargain for Bosco’s soul. But in the corporate wasteland known as Hell, not even the Freelance Police are safe from eternal damnation. Can Sam & Max fight free from Satan’s grasp, or have they reached the end of the line? After already playing Sam and Max Save The World (Season One) on Wii, Sam and Max: Beyond Time and Space (Season 2 on PC) and Sam and Max: The Devil’s Playhouse (Season 3) on PS3, I find myself asking… myself: how fun is the Season Two release on PS3? Let’s find out, one episode at a time! Welcome to hell! Well, not really. You ARE cordially welcomed to the GATE to hell, right here in the sewer under the office of Sam and Max! Apparently, the River Styx now flows below the Freelance Police Headquarters, and it has a one-way ticket for our sorta dynamic duo. Ok, that’s not true, but it makes it more dramatic than saying “go towards the mole and ask to be let into the train”. You must recover Bosco’s soul before it’s too late! But, actually, he IS already dead, and his corpse is next to the river Styx so… maybe there’s no real rush? Unfortunately, one does not get to ride the Soul Train that easily, so we must now find a Token that is only given to the dead. Since Sam and Max LIKE to be alive, they set out on a small quest to find the elusive Token of not-alive-anymore. Thanks to the magic of videogame reviews, we now jump ahead without spoiling the actual solution to the puzzle, and we find ourselves in a very warm and fuzzy place: the Hell Inc. building! Kinky vampire Jurgen is working the receptionist desk of this fine corporation, and you must find a way to talk to the big guy in charge of this joint. If there is anyone that can help us save Bosco’s soul, it has to be the Devil himself, right? Because, Who can be more badass than Satan? In order to accomplish our goal, we are tasked with revisiting adventures of episodes past in order to experience the specially tailored hell of the last few souls that made it here, thanks in no small part to the mischief, carelessness and loving nature of Max. Sam is not at fault here, since we all know that Max is the one that loves to screw things up, always for the best, always for the rest. Will Sam and Max be able to rescue Bosco’s soul in time? Will they end up damning more souls to an eternal hell? Will peanut butter and jelly ever end their decades-long feud? You must play this final episode to find out that even if the truth is out there, it is always hidden by the ketchup. What’s New, Beelzebub? is the final episode of the Beyond Time and Space, and it manages to take care of all the plot holes/unfinished business from the last four episodes… or at least it tried as much as it could. It has been a fun ride, and I look forward to even more crazy adventures next to the bunny and the dog. Review Pros Cons Very fun way of ending the season He who rules over H-e-double hockey sticks Season 2 is definitely over Rating 90% Cost – $19.99 (Full Season) Disclaimer Total amount of time played: 2.5 hours. Love me some Sam and Max. Own all 3 seasons, the Anniversary DVD Boxset AND the limited edition Hardcover signed by Steve Purcell. This review is based on a PS3 copy of Sam and Max: Beyond Time and Space provided by Telltale Games.

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[PSN Review] Sam and Max Season 2: Episode 5

. Lock and load! Use grenades and your automatic rifle to plow through hordes of evil creatures! Welcome to AMS headquarters, three years after the death of Caleb Goldman—the mastermind behind the creature infestations. All has been well since his death, but suddenly, an earthquake strikes and hordes of evil creatures infiltrate your home base. To make matters worse, an enemy from the past threatens massive nuclear destruction. Left with only your automatic rifles and a handful of grenades, you must escape the creatures and save the world before it’s too late! Key Features: PlayStation®Move Ready: Use your PlayStation®Move Motion Controller or the Sharp Shooter accessory to shoot your way through waves of evil creatures. 8 Gory Levels in HD: With 28 unique types of evil creatures spread across 8 graphically-enhanced levels, killing has never been more realistic and satisfying. Co-op Play: With co-op play, you can turn story mode into a killing party for two. PlayStation®Home Reward: Unlock an exclusive reward through in-game accomplishments to enhance your Home experience. House of the Dead 4 has finally made its way from the Arcade and into the Playstation Network… which was to be expected after House of the Dead 3 was made available in the service. What has been changed on this long, long journey? Not much really. The game is still fun to play, and it now has the benefit of being made available as a digital download, thus increasing the possibility that many can finally play this tight Arcade on-rails shooter. The HD treatment is not as easy to spot as with the other HD remakes/ports/collections because House of the Dead 4 was actually a great looking game, but the steady frame rate and extra shine here and there is appreciated. Even though there is a 4 right at the end of the game’s title, this one takes place between the events from HotD II and HotD III, which means we can’t call it a prequel. What would the right term be? Some say interquel is how we should refer to this one, which sounds weird and wrong… but interquel it shall be. House of the Dead 4: The Interquel, is made of 6 chapters that take James Taylor and Kate Green straight into the apocalyptic pandemonium unleashed by the undead. You can play wither with the Dualshock 3, with the Move, or with the Move+Gun attachment. Each one changes around things, but I would have to recommend the Move+Sharpshooter layout since it brings you into the game, and is as close to the Arcade as you’ll ever get. That is, unless you’re rich and can buy the actual Arcade itself. But you’d then be missing out on trophies with crazy requirements (Class A or S on all levels, and never die? Sure, no problem!), as well as the inclusion of House of the Dead 4 SP. What IS House of the Dead 4 SP, you ask? Well, I am glad you’re curious about it! HotD 4 SP is a very rare AND expensive Arcade edition for the game that was used as an attraction of sorts (an expensive one), in which players would sit down inside a small, dark room, and enjoy the “ride”. Huge TV screens presented the action, and a very nice surround sound system brought it all to life. Air is shot at players when they are hit (because hitting them when being hit in the game would actually be very, very rude), and some motors take care of the force-feedback required to portray a Zombie invasion. The game picks up after the end of HotD 4, and presents to us only two more chapters before it is over. Considering it is a bonus mode you unlock on the PSN edition after you complete the main game, two chapters and more trophies is always a nice extra. I can’t really go into anything else about this special mode because I would end up spoiling the story for everyone. House of the Dead 4 as a digital release is a very fun on-rails shooter that gives us more of what we love: zombies. The game used an HD Widescreen display in the Arcades, and that makes it easier to jump to the PS3. The Move support make it as close as possible to the original experience, and the inclusion of HotD4 SP just makes it even better. Review Pros Cons Great price and value Just like the arcade! Crazy trophy requirements Rating 85% Cost – $9.99 Disclaimer Total amount of time played: 4 hours. This review is based on a PS3 copy of The House of the Dead 4 provided by SEGA.

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[PSN Review] House of the Dead 4

In Jurassic Park: The Game – Episode 3, the group looks for escape through the dark maintenance tunnels that connect the park, while being hunted by relentless pursuers. Uneasy partnerships teeter on the brink until simmering tensions explode and the survivors turn on each other. Be sure to read the review for Jurassic Park: The Game Episode 1 to learn about the basics on how to control the game, as well as how the grading system works! You should also check the review for Episode 2 to make sure you remember what has happened so far. I always wonder why people continue to use helicopters in movies and games when we all know they will eventually end up crashing down, probably killing, maiming or hurting someone in the process. Weird, right? After the chopper crashes, Nima, Yoder and Oscar must find a new way to transport all survivors back to safety before the dinosaurs can get the best of them. We come to realize that Oscar is a badass mercenary, instead of your vanilla, plain mercenary. How so? Oscar decides he should STALK SOME VELOCIRAPTORS, waiting for the right time to get the jump on the fast, little buggers. Yes, you read that right. He is using stealth to beat the Velociraptors at their own game, savoring the tension of the hunt. Crazy, right? Well, just wait until you see what happens when he catches up to them! The tension rises as Jurassic Park: The Game – The Depths brings us closer to the final conclusion of our journey. Will everyone make it out alive? Will someone fall prey to the Velociraptors, the T-Rex or another one of the predators that call Isla Nublar home? The characters have grown on us. The story draws to an end, and the dinosaurs are only getting hungrier! Review Pros Cons More action, less interaction Slowdown here and there Rating 81% Published by Telltale Games Cost – $29.99 (Full Season) Disclaimer Total amount of time played: 2 hours This review is based on a copy of Jurassic Park: The Game provided by Telltale Game

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[PSN Review] Jurassic Park: The Game Episode 3

StarDrone Extreme is a semi-recent PSN title that has been brought to the Vita with 10 additional trajectory based space levels bringing this portable title in with over 60 levels. Flying aimlessly throughout space, this action based puzzle game slings your spaceship into a world of momentum, evil monsters, spiky barriers and super fast space launching. The goal is pretty simple. You collect as many stars as you can or collect shards of a giant space gem. Playing this game, I can’t help but think of a progressive Angry Bird level only using the single red bird the whole time. Once you launch yourself into the level, there are purple objects that you can attach yourself to in order to create momentum in a certain direction. You release yourself at a specific time to send your ship flying into a specific direction to access other parts of the map or pick up items along the way. The problem is that flying nasties are waiting for you as well as spiked walls and other hazards that will quickly send your ship flying through space in a million pieces. StarDrone starts off very easy but the difficulty quickly ramps up to where it may take several tries to clear one level. Failing at a level and you will get what seems to be a choice to skip the level, however if you choose yet, it just sends you to the PSN store to purchase the Level Skipper DLC for 99 cents which is pretty lame. All in all, this game came at a good time as it is cheap weighing in at only $3.99, plus it came during a lull in Vita releases. For $3.99, you’re not really going to lose much so this is a good game to pass a few minutes on whenever you need to but it is surely not a game to keep you occupied for hours nor will it appease your eyes staring at the gorgeous OLED screen. I’ve included here a few images of the game directly from my Vita showing off some of gameplay I’ve encountered. Review Pros Cons Much easier touch screen controls, 10 Exclusive Vita levels Pretty basic, Uninspired levels, Some levels extremely hard, level skipper DLC Rating 68% *This review is based on a download offered by Beatshapers.

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[PS Vita Review] StarDrone Extreme

The Devil May Cry HD Collection is a bargain at $39.99, but the title may be misleading to many. The correct title should be, “Devil May Cry kind of HD Collection” The collection includes the original in all its glory, as well as part 2 and 3 special edition as well as a vault of songs and art work. Not bad, right? Well the problem is Capcom was either extremely lazy or some technical issue prevented them from giving the HD treatment to the cut scenes and menus. Yes, even the menus are 4:3 SD in all their blurry glory for you to enjoy. How this happened is beyond me. The overall enjoyment is greatly reduced when fighting in HD, collecting your first orb, and are suddenly treated by a small screen explaining what the orb is used for. Extremely disappointing. The game looks dated, but the HD treatment has the characters and enemies looking super polished. You’re getting 2 of the best games in the series, and if you price it at $19.99 for those 2 titles, it’s a bargain for sure, even with the 4:3 FMV’s and menus aside. Devil May Cry 1 will always be held with great regards for balancing out action and a leveling system with a challenging difficulty. Devil May Cry 2, on the other hand, has the difficulty of a sesame street game and should be avoided at all costs. The HD overhaul hasn’t changed anything for part 2. It is still boring and brainless with absolutely zero enjoyment. 3 is the best in regards to difficulty and over the top combo madness. It has aged well and still remains one of my favorite games for the ps2 era. The sound is just like you remember, with over the top rock techno and the ever so familiar sound of going into menus and collecting items. The camera is debatable; some despise it with the ability to control it being zero until the third installment, and even then, you can only slightly move it in certain areas. If you lived under a rock and have never played the game, this will be your biggest gripe most likely. Like I said, I don’t mind it and always thought it was rather innovative for its time. This is something that could have been addressed, but seeing as the menus and story scenes are so ugly with no effort whatsoever put into them for this collection, I am once again not surprised. 3 Platinum trophies with part 2 being the easiest to obtain, trophy hunters will need a good chunk of time for a small price of admission. With my complaints aside, this is a collection that belongs in your PS3 library for nostalgic sake. Most definitely a buy. Review Pros Cons Best Action/RPG around Extremely satisfying combat Gaming History on one Disc $39.99 Camera unforgivable 4:3 Menus and cut scenes Rating 85%

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Devil May Cry HD Collection Review