Time To Re-Enter The Dream

Name:  The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Dreamer Edition)
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Date of Release:  9/20/19
MSRP:  $69.99
Rating: 4.5

I actually never played this game back in the day as I never owned a Game Boy. So I can honestly say I don't have any rose colored glasses when it comes to this. I am however a big Nintendo and Zelda fan so there is that. But anyway, let's begin. For the few people who may not know, this is a remake of the 1993 Game Boy game. It was the first Zelda hand held game and takes place right after the SNES game, A Link to the Past.

Of course it has been completely overhauled for the Switch version. Graphics, button mapping, and music have all been updated. Also a new create a dungeon feature has been added. This is pretty cool because you can share dungeons using Amiibo.

So what's the deal with the Dreamer's edition? Well it includes a full color art book with sketches from the game. Is it worth the extra $10 MSRP? Completely. It's awesome and fun to peruse. And makes a great coffee table book.

 

Now with all the good the game has I do have a few issues with it that keeps it from being 5 stars. First up (and this is a smaller nitpick for sure) don't expect a Super Zelda maker game. You don't really design your own rooms. You just collect rooms while you play through the dungeons. And put them in the order you want. (Maybe there is more to it, but I haven't found it yet.) While there is some definite content here, I have to say it still feels tacked on to me. It's a good idea. But poorly implemented.

My second gripe is with the price of the game. It's MSRP is $59. Or $69 if you buy the Dreamer Edition. But is it really a sixty dollar game? In my opinion not really. I mean Breathe of the Wild was sixty and in the first week I you haven't even begun playing yet! After 2 solid days of this game. Beat it. Easily. I don't know. In my opinion I feel Nintendo didn't give us enough to warrant the price tag. It's more $40 content and not $60. And yes I know this won't be a popular opinion. But it is my thoughts about it.

 

So bottom line, the game is completely worth buying. It's a beautiful remake of the original. And the Dreamer Edition is completely worth picking up. I just am knocking off one star for the tacked on dungeon maker and the slim content.

I'd Rather Be Alone In The Dark Without This Game

Video Game:  Alone In The Dark
Console:  Xbox 360
Rating: Mature
Rating: 0.4 of 5

This game has a couple of things that are good about it. The story is interesting. And....well, I guess that's it. The rest of the game is God awful. But for the sake of saving you money we'll break it down 1 by 1.

THE CONTROLS: 1 Star. Using one stick to move sucks. And having to use the other stick to swing, well you guessed it, that sucks too. Makes fighting really annoying. Makes, well everything really annoying.
THE CAMERA ANGLE: 1 Star. This is possibly more annoying than the controls. You'll be walking on the ledge at the edge of a building. It's all going good, and suddenly, bam! Screen changes and you walk off the ledge. This happens a lot. I also can't stand not being able to see what I'm fighting. That makes the game great too.
THE STORY: 4 Stars. The only thing even remotely redeeming about the game is the story. End of the world? Evil monsters? Scary creatures? Crazy holes that suck you into oblivion? Check! That's enjoyable at least.
HIT DETECTION: 1 Star. Horrible. Not only is it annoying how you have to use 1 stick to swing, it makes it a million times worse when you can't hit anything at all. You can be standing on top of an enemy and miss. At the same time though, you can be far away and hit.


BOTTOM LINE: Stay far, far, far away from this pile of dookie. Decent graphics and an interesting story can't even begin to make up for all of this stinker of a title. Two thumbs way down....

Mediocre Spy Game

I realized that I'm really not giving enough product description on these reviews.  People probably have no idea what I'm talking about.  So I'm going to add a bit more to the start of every review.

PRODUCT: Death To Spies.  Video game by Atari.  For the PC only.  Need more info?  http://www.amazon.com/Death-Spies-Pc/dp/B000RPKCTC/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

REVIEW:

Crouched down in the bushes, you watch the guards pass. There are 3 of them, so you have to be careful. You reach into your backpack, and lob a gernade right in the middle of them, they try to scatter but in a suffocating blast all three of them are gone. You're next order of business is to carry the bodies off the road to hide them in the bushes. Next you confiscate the ammo, and disguise yourself with one of the uniforms that doesn't have blood on it. Now all you got to do is make it past the high ranking officer who will recognize you if you get too close....

So there you have it. Another level of Death To Spies. How is the game overall? To be honest it's a little bland. You take the role of a Russian operative. And you perform a number of missions. The game is cool because it does give you a number of real life options. You can sneak past guards, or try to knock them out, or use chloroform on them, or steal a uniform and walk past them, or you could whistle to distract them, or just steal a truck and run them over. The game does carry a lot of limitless possibilities.

That being said, the game is still pretty linear in the long run. You have a set number of goals you must accomplish with every mission. But at least the interface does a good job of keeping you informed so you're not lost as what to do next. There are a number of weapons to choose from, but at the same time stealth is usually your best bet. The game is realistic on the fact that even with your health you can't take too many bullets before you give up the ghost. The controls are a little too sensitive to me. So much that when I closed out the game my mouse felt slow on the desktop. But this doesn't detract from the game.

The story line is based off real events as well. But frankly I found the story really confusing. I do enjoy history, but I know nothing about Russian history during WWII so I was in the dark, and kind of bored watching the cut scenes. Although I do admit that the graphics are pretty good.

PROS: Good graphics. Tense missions make you feel like you're there. Good shooter scenarios mixed with stealth make the game work on more than one level.

CONS: Nothing makes the game stand out. Same old, same old. Hit detection is iffy sometimes. Story line is really obscure, and frankly kind of boring. Game is forgettable in the long run.

BOTTOM LINE: Game is very mediocre at best. It intrigued me for a while, but not for long. It's a nice little piece of fluff. But if you buy it, don't rush to the store, or pay full price. Try to get this one for cheap. Don't go looking for much here, and you won't be disappointed.

RATING: 2 of 5