(Updated 4/10) I've been playing a lot of games lately, and here is what I think of some of them.
KEY: A - The Best of the best!!! Don't Miss!!! B - Pretty Good. Worth Buying C - Um... Just rent it. D - Not good. Only get it if you're desperate for a new game. F - AVOID THIS CRAP AT ALL COSTS!!!Paper Mario
Another game I have been awaiting since hearing about it. In Paper Mario, Bowser has attacked Star Haven and stolen the Star Rod which grants wishes. He uses his magic to put his castle under Princess Peach's and sends it into the sky. So Mario must ONCE AGAIN save the princess.
In this game, many allies help Mario, but I don't like the fact only one may be used at a time. In Super Mario RPG, 3 characters may be used at once. I liked that better. Many of Mario's friends have been past enemies including Goombas, Koopa Troopas, and Bob-Ombs.
Since this is a N64 game, you'd expect extremely high graphics, but the paper concept just doesn't appeal to me. I'd rather have a 3-Dimension than a 3D with cardboard cutouts.
I must praise the music BTW. I loved the usage of previous Mario music and adding to it. In several cases, the music was the PERFECT mood for the setting.
++ Awesome music!!! + Good storyline + Long play time + Will keep you busy for hours on end +/- You can play as Peach as well but very briefly - Takes too long to level up - Unappealing graphics Final Grade: A ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ogre Battle 64: Persons of Lordley Caliber
I was very excited about this game after loving the previous Ogre Battle: The March for the Black Queen. It took a while to finally get into the game. With the exception of much bigger graphics, the beginning is much like the previous game.
Some differences include no Tarot cards, less units, and battles happen closer than in the first.
This game has a lot of really great graphics, but there seem to be less options in this game. + Awesome Graphics + Story may change depending on decisions + Can't get enough of it - Game ends if the rebel base is captured - Like the original better Final Grade - A -----------------------------------------------------------
Pokémon Puzzle League:
I decided to rent this game to see what it was like. After a few hours I was hooked. The graphics in this game, especially the beginning looks like an actual TV show, and the game itself, although looks easy is great.
There are many different options in this game. The main object is to go one on one with many of our favorite characters from the hit TV series in a puzzle league match. The first few levels seem too easy, but it gets harder as you go along. You might spend 99 continues on 1 character, and win the next one the first try. You'll battle friends like Gary, Brock, Misty, Ritchie, and Tracey. There is also a 3D version in which the level is a cylinder instead of the ole tetris-like mode.
Key points:
+ Awesome graphics
+ When you think you're done, there's more
+ This game gets stuck in your head after playing for a while
Final Grade: A
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Yoshi's Story
Well, I couldn't wait to try this game out, after liking the first Yoshi Island. All I can say is, boy was I dissapointed!
At least there are many paths you can take in this game depending on the number of hearts you recieve per level. There are 6 levels you must complete to retireve the happy tree. Yoshi's Story is 6 pages long and depending on what levels you go on determine the outcome of the story. But no matter what levels you go on, the story ends the same way.
There are some good pointers in this game, like the lucky fruit, and happy meter. But since this is an N64, I expected much better graphics, and the levels looked similar to the first one, but without that annoying Baby Mario.
Key pointers: + Multiple levels + No baby Mario - Graphics were not as good as you would expect from a normal N64 - Can master it in a few hours Final grade - C ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Diddy Kong Racing
I'm not the biggest fan of race games, but since this is Donkey Kong, I decided to give it a try.
The game starts out where the genie tells you about the island. Your goal is to collect all he balloons on the island. You do this by getting first place in each of the races, and also for special bonuses.
This is somewhat similar to Mario Kart 64. 3 laps, items to knock the others out etc... This game does stand out from Mario by the powerups with each of the items, and you must get first in each level to get a balloon. After getting all the balloons in a course, you race the boss of that part of the island. Beat them, and you must race the other courses again, only this time, you must get 8 silver coins, and win the race. Then you race the boss again (only he's harder and faster.) If you win again, you get a piece of the amulet. Then you can try the trophy case which is all the races in that stage (This is like Mario Kart 64 where you can get a gold, silver, or bronze trophy.)
Key Points: + Multiple goals + Challenging to beginners + It takes a while to master - The hovercraft is almost impossible to control Final grade - B ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quest 64
I was excited about N64's first RPG coming out, and couldn't wait to try it. I rented the game 3 days after the release.
There's a lot of good storyline, and graphics in this game. Your goal is to save your father and retrieve the magic book. You must obtain the 4 elemantal jewels (Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water) You must also look for spirits to increase your magic power. The more spirits, the more spells you learn. You can also increase magic power by defeating enough enemies. To gain Max HP or MP, you must use up 100 points. So for the beginning, you may want to use freshbread to help you, or stay at inns.
Key Points: + - Very Challenging + - Addicitive + - You'll find yourself playing this game overnight + - Excellent graphics and Sound + - Can continue after death withut losing anything - - Can only save by using a controller pak - - Sometimes, the graphics can get really annoying Final grade - A More reviews coming soon.
Email: fl.rolegames@angelfire.com
