Added by Happy Vader on 8 Jul 2013 08:44

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Windows Games Reviews

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357

7.7

Need for Speed: Underground 2 - PC Games

N/A

When this game was released, it was the hottest new thing in the market and in our school lab. I remember vividly the loud speakers, the even louder cursing whenever the car would swerve off-road or would crash into traffic, and the showing off of totally rad car customization. Since most of us (back then, not now) enjoyed hip-hop / rap music and nu-metal, drooled over custom imports, loved ogling at lovely ladies, Underground 2 was the game of dreams.

I haven't played its predecessor so I cannot comment on that. Now, I'm a major NFS fan, have been ever since I was given NFS II by my father's colleague. After finishing II:SE, I then played all game chronologically till ProStreet, where then my heart gave out on the series. All the pre-Underground titles were fun, engaging, and full of replay value; from Underground onward they all became like the Fast & the Furious movies, losing the one unique identity they had.

The main problem with Underground 2 is that it's too flashy and loud for my taste. I enjoyed the dignified demeanor in Porsche Unleashed and the wacky rebel attitude in II:SE. However, Underground 2 is a fun game but (even back then) it didn't give me enough reasons to come back for more.

Now, the reason why I'm not rating it because I currently have the demo version. I once played the full version, or at-least 65% of it in my school lab but I've forgotten a large chunk of it, so unless I play the full version again, Underground 2 will remain in the land where the stars don't shine.

The demo version I have contains only 2 tracks: Circuit and Drift; and has only one car, Nissan 350z, but with 4 different pre-made body kits, so the demo version is not altogether bad.

Driving Speed 2 - PC Games

6.5/10

For a realistic racing simulator, it does a sucky name though. Seriously, Driving Speed? I can understand the adrenaline that goes with racing games, you know, burning rubber, smoke, high speed, hairpin turns; how every racing game has "cool", boys only titles. But Driving Speed doesn't do for me. It sounds like a two-part episode of Speed Racer or Transformers.

Now for the game. Is it good, or is it bad? It depends on the player, if he's a fan of realistic racing games, then he will be wetting his pants because Driving Speed 2 certainly is realistic. The sound of V8 Engines are real enough to blow the wad off of Vin Diesel. The locations feel as if stolen from Google Earth. Though not altogether vibrant or fresh, they do feel alive.

But if the player is not a fan of realistic racing games, then he is bound to find Driving Speed 2 a rather annoying experience. The turning is amazingly brick-line. It's so reluctant and obtuse. Is that how is really feels like handling a Ford GT? or a Pontiac GT? I don't know and frankly speaking, I don't wanna know, because after my time with the oh-so-intense Driving Speed 2, I don't think I ever wanna step in another car again.

But, in conclusion, the game is not 100% bad, it's just that it could've been so much better. It certainly is exciting the first time around, but gets boring from the second time onward. Try if you must!

Happy Vader's rating:

Breakneck - PC Games

7.0/10 Stars

Now this is a racing game and name more like it. To describe: take the locations of Serious Sam: Second Encounter, add vehicles with the A.I. of Cruis'n USA - with better physics - and you get Breakneck, easily one of the best racing games out there. Oh, and it's vehicular combat, too, and that adds to the awesome.

The gameplay is decent enough, just like any other, but back in 2000 Breakneck was insanely fast and endlessly bad-ass. Though I don't think of it that way anymore, the fact that it still is fun after 13 years cannot be denied.

If you're looking for a solid racing game with the emphasis on speed - breakneck speed, no less - and intense 8 car action, then I suggest this game as it doesn't disappoint!

All the fun of Demolition Derby and none of the weaknesses!

Happy Vader's rating:

Alarm For Cobra 11 - PlayStation 2

N/A

Being the only racing game in history where the bumper-camera doesn't work wonders, Cobra 11 is half-weird than its title.

Having only the demo version, Cobra 11 - made by the same developing company behind Breakneck (above) - sees you, in the first level, driving from destination A to destination B. Since German is not my primary language, I assumed I was supposed to wreck as many cars as possible. Originally going to label that experience as "Postal on wheels", I realized I was supposed to do the opposite. With as minimal damage as possible, you must drive a quite-beautifully rendered BMW to the end place. Once you accomplish that, the "Postal on wheels" chapter begins.

Apparently someone has stolen a car and is getting away with it. It is up to you, now in a blue Mercedes, to stop him - by constantly ramming into him. I suggest that you turn off the "Auto Replay" here as it will get annoying very quickly. After when you've filled his crash-o-meter to the 100, a single race with 5 opponents is unlocked, as well as 4 cars. And that's about it with this demo. But it doesn't disappoint. Not one bit!

The graphics are very reminiscent of Google Earth, and though it isn't wildly impressive in the physics department, they're spectacular to some degree. When you crash your vehicle into another, the crash sequences are very orgasmic. The A.I. is smart enough, but totally dumb when it comes to a race with the traffic option set to "Rush Hour." I suggest playing with that option as you get to perform Burnout style takedowns on your opponents - with excellent-but-very-irritating in-game replay system.

In conclusion, Cobra 11 is a fantastically fun and hig-intense racing game that should be a winner in about anyone's book. Even if it's a demo!

154

6.6

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - PC Games

There have been (so far) two such phrases in my life where I was so morbidly obsessed by something that I literally took a rest from the real world and indulged in that subject for nearly 3 years, soaking up every last bit of information I could muster. One was when Greek mythology was exposed to me via encyclopedias (if you're 14 years or below, chances are you don't even know that word). For 3 years I studied that subject, becoming an all-knowing 13 yr. old. The second time was when my elder sister handed me the first book of Harry Potter. For the next couple of years all I knew or cared about was Harry Potter and his pals. Now for the game.

Although, technically speaking, my most played game has to be either Skyroads or Need For Speed II: SE because I'd played both of them countless times prior to Harry Potter... and kept playing even long after I stopped playing Harry Potter. But since I've mentioned those two earlier, I'll go with this one!

Now you believe it or not, but this game is the textbook definition of nostalgia for me... at least the PC version of it. If I were to make a dictionary of my own - although that would be pointless - I would just paste a picture of this game in front of the entry nostalgia. Man, the graphics still to this day are beautiful, mesmerizing even. I'm aware that everything in the game, from Harry's feet to Hagrid's beard, is pointy, square and huge, the fact that everything looks beautiful cannot be denied. The shelves with their paper thin books, the walls with their flat bricks, characters with TMNT hands, all are still a treat for my eyes 12 years later.

The game largely follows the book that it's based on, although some minor alterations are done; in the book the midnight duel between Draco and Harry never takes place - in the game it does, although frankly speaking, that's not how I imagined a wizarding duel to be like. If that's how Dumbledore and Grindelward fought, then woah! I've seen better water-balloon fights!

Anyway, great game, beautifully rendered, and a huge game that's almost sandbox, but not quite.

Happy Vader's rating:

234

8.1

Braid - PC Games

N/A

Take any of van Gogh's painting. Animate it. The result is Braid, a platform game with puzzle elements and time manipulation. I've played my share of artistic and/or beautiful games - Broken Sword and Trine are at the display section. Looks like I have to make some space and Braid, because it is easily one of the more eye-attractive games I've played.

The story sees Tim in search for the princess. He must brave peril, walking-heads and manipulate time if he is to get to her. If some parts of the story scream Super Mario Bros., then you're right, because Braid was influenced by that game. Hell, there's even references to that game throughout. The levels, or Worlds as they're called, are set in a house in different rooms. The bathroom gives you the controls. In each world are a series of books which give you insight to Tim, the Princess, Tim's story, the Princess's story, and their relationship. You are given puzzles to collect. You must collect all puzzle pieces in each World and complete the jigsaw. Some require time manipulation, others the use of logic.

Having only the demo version, I was only able to play the complete World 2 and 50% of World 3 & 4. So youcan say I've played 40-45% of Braid; and though that's good, it's nearly not good enough, as just as the story gets interesting, the demo ends. I might try out the full game someday.

From the demo's perspective, Braid employs basic moves and controls. You jump, climb and rewind time. The basic enemies, as far as the demo goes, are walking-heads; which resemble prickly pines with faces; and cacti, which are taken straight from Super Mario Bros., and even have the same animation. With heavy emphasis on trial-and-error, Braid does often, especially in World 4, get to the level of frustrating and/or keyboard-smashing. But the beautiful artwork and tantalizing music kinda softens you down and prevents you from inflicting any hardware-abuse.

In conclusion, Braid is a great game but unfortunately it won't be going to my greatest games list because I don't want to add a game just by its demo. But I tell you, the demo is worth it. It gives you a much bigger piece of the cake than most other games do. Definitely worth checking out!

116

7.1

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - PC Games

N/A

Games based on movies usually aren't successful; neither are they interesting. Have you played Ghostbusters, Die Hard and E.T.? Not only the most least entertaining games, but with some considered as some of the worst. There are, however, few exceptions. Philosopher's Stone for the PC was great, but quite dull on the GBA. I played that game on the PC when I was very young - it clearly defines nostalgia for me - so maybe I'm being blinded by that spectacular phenomena. Had I played that game now I wouldn't have had been affected by it much. It would've been just another game to me. I guess there's a certain time and period to enjoy these things. In this era of seemingly endless check-points, Contra III strikes to many as difficult as conversing with a deaf guy on a dead phone. Yea, I guess there's a time and place for this!

Playing the *ahem* demo *ahem* version of Chamber of Secrets, I've come to realize why so many people either ignore or pass off this game. They've become too accustomed to advanced and mature magic found abundant in recent titles. Playing this game is practically like learning the alphabet all over again. Though the level presented in the demo isn't at all difficult, the full game is - with some being confusing.

Retaining the same engine, graphics and models from the previous installment of the PC version, CoS is at first virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor; but the little things that give it away are the smooth gameplay and fluid motion. Gone are the blocky, TMNT hands. They're now replaced with fully functioning hands. When Harry raises his hand to cast a spell, his wand-free hand mimics fire in the air. Now that was a good improvement. Also, Harry speaks in this title, something he did less of in the previous one. To me personally it was a bittersweet moment. Do I really need Harry reciting me the controls? So accustomed was I with Harry's monosyllabic speech that when he actually started speaking in Kafkaesqe length, I was kinda put off. Plus, I missed the cut-scenes where Nicolas would appear and give you instructions. Instead here we get an omnipresent Lockhart who doesn't seem to mind when people attack his statues.

The demo was strangely claustrophobic and had that empty feeling of being completely empty. Apart from Lockhart's detached voice and a lone ghost, no other human, spirit or voice is present. Couldn't the demo had been more, let's say, lively and full of people?

Lockhart has chosen you to go through his test. You encounter spiky turtles and deadly snails. You also encounter the odd chocolate turtle. The secrets uncovered and the magic used in this specific level are probably more than the first two films combined. Although not altogether impressive, it still has that "large" and "big" feeling that's akin to a sandbox style game.

In conclusion, the demo is quite-worth it, especially if you're seriously considering on buying the full game. Without revealing too much, the demo actually works wonders and hands to you a good example of what's in store for you. I was actually gonna play the full game but after seeing the hilariously bad voice-acting, I've put this idea at the back of my mind for now. Maybe later... much later!