R

Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack In Time (PS3)
• Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
• Developer: Insomniac Games
• Release Date: September 30, 2009
• Screenshots
• Trailer
• What We Saw:
After playing a portion of Ratchet and Clank’s second PS3 outing, we sat down with Insomniac’s Brian Allgeier and James Stevenson to hear about the finer points of the hands-on demo. The developers demonstrated a few of Ratchet’s new weapons and abilities before detailing how a new character would help bring closure to the continuing story arc. They concluded the session by revealing a new puzzle-solving element in the form of Clank’s mind-bending time travel ability.
• What We Think:
Mitch: Par for the course, A Crack in Time looked and felt very similar to its predecessor, Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. Insomniac has managed to keep the core of the original Ratchet’s excellence intact while changing everything revolving around it. As usual, it’s the new gadgets and gear that make the latest version of the same ol’ game so great.
Ratchet, the series’ anthropomorphic, cat-like hero, previously relied on his robotic sidekick, Clank, to get across wide gaps or to glide long distances. Since Clank’s kidnapping in Tools of Destruction is essential to the story, Ratchet compensates for his buddy’s absence with a pair of sweet rocket boots. His hover boots propel him at a quick speed that was useful for making big jumps, quick escapes or accessing hidden areas. They’re a great way to get around and play an essential role in the game’s platforming sections. A Crack in Time also has a more stylistic aesthetic, a cartoonish look that Allgeier attributes to a fancy-pants new lighting system. I’m saying it’s the 2D smoke effects, darker outlines and purdy colors. Tomato, Toh-mah-toh.
The most impressive aspect of Ratchet and Clank was its appropriate inclusion of time travel, which is brilliantly used as a puzzle-solving mechanism. Thanks to a spiffy staff that can wield time, Clank can record himself performing an action, warp back in time, and use his temporal projection to open doors or lift elevators. Stevenson’s continuous warping using four versions of Clank was reminiscent of Braid’s brain-liquefying genius.
A Crack in Time is impressive, but it’d be a missed opportunity to exclude cooperative play. Another Lombax (Ratchet’s endangered species) called Alistair plays a prominent role in the narrative. He would fit well under the moniker “Player Two.” When prodded, Allgeier said that he “can’t reveal anything like that today.” Well, he didn’t say “no. Even without it, Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time already feels as great as the franchise has ever been. Could I get some time warping going on so we can play more now?

Red Steel 2 (Wii)
• Publisher: Ubisoft
• Developer: Ubisoft Paris
• Release Date: Late 2009
• Screenshots
• What We Saw:

We had time to play the sequel to the launch game that single handedly showed the Wii's capabilities and limitations at the same time. The game's new art style is very interesting, combing both cowboy and samurai aesthetics. The addition of Wii Motion Plus makes a huge difference in this game allowing for both blocking as well as the ability to register strong or weak strikes, the former necessary for striking the armor off of enemies. In a new addition to the series, the player can shoot at any time with the press of the B button, even when wielding their katana. Being able to knock some armor plates off of an enemy and then blast them with your trusty revolver was very cool.

• What We Think:

Brandon: What a difference a few years and a small hunk of plastic make. The benefits of Wii Motion Plus were readily apparent from the minute you picked up your sword. The game's more stylized look is a nice change from the original, but it remains to be seen if the new visuals and new controls are enough to work when the story seems to be "kill everyone in the town". Still, we didn't talk about story much so this is just my impressions of why I was doing what I was doing and this game seems to address the control issues with the first, so I'll definitely be checking it out. Oh, and the game comes with the Motion Plus adapter, which may be a reason to pick it up right there.

Bill: I didn’t play the first game and Brandon said it was pretty terrible so I didn’t expect much when we stopped by to see Ubisoft. I was surprised – it looks a lot more intuitive than I imagined. Brandon was hacking away shooting bad guys and chopping them up with his katana. The graphics were especially impressive – and on the Wii no less. The question here is one of longevity. It looked like a game that would be entertaining in small doses. But come on…cowboy ninja samurai? It just needs a few pirates to be complete.

Reel Fishing: Angler’s Dream (Wii)
• Publisher: Natsume
• Developer: Marvelous Entertainment
• Release Date: June 9, 2009
• What We Saw:
It’s a fishing sim – you choose your bait, cast your line with the Wii-mote, and try to make a catch. There are tons of fresh and saltwater fish to catch, and plenty of different bait types, so there’s a definite element of strategy to the game.
• What We Think:
Danielle: I had a better time fishing in Twilight Princess - a much better time.

Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles (Wii)
• Publisher: Capcom
• Developer: Cavia Inc.
• Release Date: 2010
• Screenshots
• Trailer
• What We Saw:

Darkside Chronicles is a retelling of Resident Evil 2 and Codename Veronica, converted to rail-shooter form. We took Leon and Claire through the streets of Raccoon City for a little coop zombie-hunting. A few liberties were taken with the number of enemies and the available arsenal, including uzis and grenades, but there was no mistaking the familiar locations. The gun shop, the basketball court, and even the cars were all right where I left them. While the character-specific stories from part 2 are gone, you can still look forward to the memorable boss battles.

• What We Think:

Brandon: I loved the pacing of this game, as you slowly move with your point of view frantically switching between the zombies in front of you and the barricade behind you and then back again. Players need to be on their toes to pick up weapons and herbs and both stingy and accurate with their shots as these zombies take a lot of hits to go down. Two player drop-in drop-out co-op is a great addition but it remains to be seen if the co-op will be used for anything other than just the two of you shooting zombies at the same time.

Brian:I’m a bit of a rail-shooter snob, a proud owner and self-proclaimed professional of the Time Crisis series, and I’m not convinced that Darkside Chronicles can pull it off. It has the enemies, the guns, and the controls, but it lacks finesse. The camera, described to me as “atmospheric,” had an affinity for dwelling on walls and empty skies, followed by spastic flitting that removed enemies from play a brief moment after presenting them. What’s the point of having an enemy if it can’t touch you? Most zombies did little beyond hobbling over and gurgling in our faces anyway. To be fair, it was the first level, so I hope that the lickers and later zombies provide more of a challenge.

Bill: Not my bag. I played co-op with Brian for a good 15 minutes and, yeah, just not my thing.

Robocalypse: Beaver Defense(WiiWare)
• Publisher: Vogster Entertainment
• Developer: Vogster Entertainment
• Release Date: September 30, 2009
• What We Saw:
It may sound like a particularly weird kid’s game, but Robacalypse is actually a very robust tower defense-style strategy title. Players can place units anywhere on the map (unlike, say, Ninjatown, which dictates which areas may be used) and they have control over a “hero robot”, a sort of super soldier who can rain death over the enemy or enhance your unit’s powers in various ways. The enemy AI is particularly dynamic – whenever units were placed in their way, the little buggers ran around, finding holes in my makeshift defense. I was schooled justly.
• What We Think:
Danielle: I took one look at the cover art and heard the name of the game and started to think it was a cruel E3 joke. But alas, I came away incredibly impressed – this game was fun, challenging and totally addictive – like my beloved Ninjatown, but with a few more dynamic elements (especially the “hero robot” feature). My only issue was that the controls weren’t quite spot-on – they were good, but not quite there yet. If Vogster can fix that up, I’ll proudly defend the beavers. Um, yeah.

Rogue Warrior (360, PS3, PC)
• Publisher: Bethesda
• Developer: Rebellion
• Release Date: Fall 2009
• Screenshots
• What We Saw:

We saw a level from the game where Dick Marcinko, author of the various Rogue Warrior books had to blow up a bridge lest some warheads fall into the hands of the enemy. Rogue Warrior is a cover shooter that also allows for up close and personal melee kills that vary based on whether you're approaching head on or from behind. The game is set in 1986 which accentuates the cold war vibe. Mickey Rourke does the voice of Marcinko who is pretty faithfully rendered in the game.

• What We Think:

Brandon: While watching the game, I kept flashing back to Soldier of Fortune as this game has the same feel to it. I didn't see too much of the cover aspect as invulnerability was turned on, allowing the developer to shoot willy-nilly as well as execute the game's many close quarters kills. There's still a bunch of time before the game comes out to spice the game up, but right now, it looks like a pretty standard military cover shooter.

Bill: I just love saying the name "Dick Marcinko." That just sounds like a guy who will beat your ass.
Brian: Dick Marcinko’s life and novels are the perfect sources for a FPS. The man has seen and done things that most of us couldn’t imagine outside of the digital realm. The stealthy Quick Kills with the knife, which caused me to let out a little gag when I first saw one, were bloodied up and intensified at his request. Perhaps that’s crossing the line a little, but at least we know that Rebellion is committed to providing a truthful experience. Unfortunately, shooter fans can get pretty picky about our graphics, and Rogue Warrior struck me as a little sparse and uneven. Much of the lighting was excellent, but the fire effects were lacking, to put it nicely. Some textures were spot on, while others looked like blurry masses. You know, I really hope Mr. Marcinko doesn’t read this.