Once again Guerrilla has delivered new experience to the already robust online competitive play of Killzone 2, this week we got Napalm and Cordite, the third DLC for Killzone 2. This new DLC has 2 maps and the addition of 2 new weapons that are quickly becoming fan favorites around the world. Let’s talk about the maps first.

Suljeva Cliffside.
A pretty weird name for a pretty weird map. It features 2 relatively small indoor spawn points and a big courtyard with a lot of platforms made of scrap metal and wrecked structures. There is a beautiful permanent sandstorm effect on the outside giving the illusion of movement at any time so you’ll be always on your toes wondering if that was the sandstorm or the enemy around the corner.

The high grounds on the courtyard are pretty much as independent of the floor as you want. It has a considerable amount of coverage and multiple paths. You can pretty much get to the enemy base this way without worrying about snipers. Having control of this second level is crucial for mission objectives such as “seek and destroy” or “assassination”.

Arc tower Landing.
My favorite map of the couple. It consists on 3 well separated indoor and outdoor levels with a lot of catwalks and connected via standard stairs. Indoors gameplay is vital as the objectives are either inside the bases or on the inferior level, close to the bases. Smart outdoor gameplay is vital however. Veteran snipers will soon find out that the sight from the top of the bases is great for their task and they must intercept and keep the enemies out of the base in order to prevent spawn kills or enemies spawning inside your own base.

The lower levels however take most of the action as they are going to be crowded. Well places turrets and handy people with the shotgun are going to be vital. Be sure you don’t get in the way of your people, there are going to be a lot of accidents with grenades and rockets around there.
The outside effects are beautiful as well. Lightning bolts hitting some towers and a lot of environmental sound effects take place outside; the inside has nothing special but still is very well done.

Now let’s talk about the starts of the DLC; the weapons.

Let’s clarify something first. These weapons are placed on the new maps. You can’t find them anywhere else or get them as your standard weapons for any class. So you’ll hve to purchase these new maps in order to play with the new toys.

That said we’re talking about the VC1 Flame Thrower first (pick-up exclusive to Suljeva Cliffside). It is as awesome as it can be. I don’t have to say it is better on closed areas where your enemies won’t be able to run anywhere to get far from you. It is really powerful if you know how to use it and sometimes it can feel like a very cheap weapon. But as far as you know your spacing and aim for the head a flamethrower won’t be a big thread for you. Use it defensively for better results.

Next is the VC21 Bolt Gun (pick-up exclusive to Arctower Landing). A heavy weapon with a beautiful sound effect every time you shoot it. Once you get it you’ll notice bolts are slower than standard bullets and you might even feel you have very limited ammo for it. But hey, it is a one shoot kill every time you hit. You have to be aware or the space between you and your target and calculate your shoots very well. You’ll have 2 or maybe 3 shoots to kill or be killed so be wise when shooting it. It is easily the most satisfactory feeling when you nail your foe to the wall and then bolt explodes. It is truly an amazing weapon for skilled players, a little awkward for novices.

Guerrilla has said this is the last DLC for the moment; they are taking a well deserved break after this map pack and I have to say after so many patches, updates and maps we are well covered for months to come. The battlefield has expanded and you must not miss this DLC.

Killzone 2 fans, get online right now, download and start playing.

Score:

8.7/10

by Reeve

Bonus Video Below:

There was a time when coin-operated arcade machines ruled America and Pinball machines were one of the favorite challenges of gamers even if it wasn’t a videogame. Those times are over now but from time to time we get the chance to bring back those feelings.

Today we get to review a PSN exclusive pinball videogame. I was sincerely happy and grateful when I knew I was going to do this review because Pinball was one of the first gaming experiences I had and the nostalgic feeling is all over this game, prepare to remember.

ZEN Pinball is a very impressive pinball simulator, maybe superior to what we’ve seen so far. It is a simple game as expected, with intuitive controls and a general idea of what are you supposed to do from the beginning. ZEN Pinball has one of the better physics I’ve seen on a pinball simulator. The weight of the ball feels right, the reaction of the flippers seems almost real and the feeling is so familiar that I can guarantee anyone with experience on the original machine will be playing this like a pro in no time.

ZEN Pinball has 3 main modes; the single player mode is you with 3 balls against one of the four tables with the only goal of achieving points (and very specific trophies). Four tables may sound like a short game but they are actually enough, well executed and very fun to play. All four tables; V-12, Tesla, Shaman and El Dorado have their own identity and feeling each. With the promise of more tables via DLC this is going to be a bigger and better experience.

The second mode is multiplayer; local multiplayer is like playing on a real machine; you play with one control and pass it over to the next player once your turn is over. I have to say this was an excellent choice; it imitates the real machine and these kind of games are not meant to be played on a split screen, so good for ZEN Studios on making this choice.  Online multiplayer is where the real deal is. The host player picks a goal consisting on a determined number of points (these are expressed in millions, so games can even take ½ hour to be completed, maybe more), penalties for lost balls, a table and language preferences, then up to other 3 players can join and play; the first player to get the points win. It sounds very simple but it is a lot of fun playing with real people. There is no way to see their tables but there is an indicator showing progress of each player towards the goal so you always know how you’re doing. This game is also compatible with the PlayStation Eye giving you the chance of video chat while playing. Watching the expressions of your fiends while you are taking the lead is priceless.

The final mode is actually composed of different tournaments that are held “from time to time” according to the info strip. However I was never able to find any tournament this weekend, hopefully I’ll be able to give you an update on this later via our message boards .

The user interface is fantastic; it simulates a real pinball table and goes from one part to another depending on the menus you are exploring. It also features, as I said before, a led-like info strip giving you real time info about other players, records and rankings. This info is always displayed on the menus and on loading screens so you will always have something to read.

ZEN Pinball uses al the sights and sounds of a real table, there is no room for fantasy or superpowers on this game. It is you against gravity and no more. There are many camera angles and you can choose between fixed or mobile angles. You also count on an info screen giving you real time info on score, balls remaining and some hints for extra points. This game also has a very impressive voice work to help you know what’s going on just in case you don’t like or can’t read the info screen, as well as some minor yet nice environmental sounds.

Replay value is actually quite good, it will take a lot for you to get bored of the multiplayer, and even if you do, you can tweak some settings, such as a slow motion option, in order to get a different experience. Trophies are hard to get and you will have to spend a decent amount of time on each table if you want to get them all. There is a lot to do here, and they sure know how to get you very motivated to try it all on ZEN Pinball.

Overall, this game is destined to become one classic experience on the PSN. I’m very glad we get to see this kind of simple yet very addictive games for the price of only $10. If you are looking for a classic experience, competitive casual gameplay and a good use for those PlayStation Eyes, then go buy this right now. It is the best Pinball game I’ve played in a very long time.

Thanks for reading and as always, I’m open for feedback and suggestions via comments or you can contact me at reeve.ryu@agzonline.com

Celebrating its 5 million copies sold, GOW 2 will launch new content at retail stores and Xbox LIVE on July 28.

This new content is actually a compilation of all the DLC to this date (sorry guys, no golden hammerburst); Flashback, Combustible and Snowblind map packs will be all here and we also get 7 new multiplayer maps. This is going to be a great deal for those missing all the DLC. The official names and descriptions for these new maps here:

• • Allfathers Garden: Honor the sacred grounds of the Coalition founders in this explosive map, where powerful weapons catalyze fast and furious action at this COG landmark.
  • Memorial: Set near the Eternal Flame, which pays tribute to the fallen soldiers on the battlefield, a hard-fought battle ensues at the Tomb of Unknowns. Putting their flank formation and evasive skills to the test, players will fight to control the Boomshot.
  • Sanctuary: Once a peaceful ground for reflection and remembrance, all that remains of the Sanctuary is the chill of death. Feast your eyes on the arsenal of weapons available as you make your way through the tight paths and blind corners of the Locust-damaged temple corridors.
  • War Machine: In the abandoned train station that once served as a hub for travel, players will need to master the Longshot, Mulcher and Boomshot weapons to advance the fight while evading fire from the platforms above.
  • Highway: Take the fight deep into the Locust Hollow in the complex passages of this underground highway system brimming with enemy vermin. Stick together, separate the enemy and have an exit strategy ready or it’ll be a one-way trip.
  • Way Station: Sitting in limbo between death and “processing” are Locust way stations filled with fallen COG soldiers. Tread lightly and practice patience as it’s better to sacrifice firepower for stealth while navigating this minefield of hidden grenades.
  • Nowhere: Set in the middle of what was once a destination for weary desert travelers, the land is now barren and devoid of life. Pick off your enemies with the Longshot sniper rifle and make your way to the stairwell with a well-fortified team during this intense firefight.

But that’s not all fellas, the main attraction for the all front collection is actually a deleted campaign chapter called “Road to Ruin”.  You will be able to play this chapter old school or in “all-new stealth mode”. There is Metal Gear Solid in Gears of War?! Now that’s interesting… We shall see about that Epic.
We will also get some extra content like an introduction from the design director formerly known as Cliffy B, a premium theme, a collectible poster and a strategy guide.

The price? 20 bucks. No doubt it is a great deal for every GOW fan out there. Lots of content for your cash.
If you are like me then you already own every single map there is. Fear not, as the new maps and the campaign chapter will be on Xbox Live Marketplace on the same day, for 1600 MS Points… You won’t have the strategy guide or the poster, but it is a good deal too.

It’s gonna be a hot and bloody summer thanks to this huge add on. GOW 2 has suffered a lot thanks to its still buggy matchmaking. Hopefully this will be the redemption for one of the best exclusive Microsoft franchises.  I’ll leave you with some shots…

*Images taken from Joystiq

Mind blowing huh? Stay tuned to AGZ for more info…

Rhythm Heaven is at first glance another random mini-game compilation for the kids.  It is in fact a very well executed and polished selection of interrelated musical games developed by the team responsible for the Wario Waresaga, and one of the best music genre approximations I’ve seen on the DS.

The controls for Rhythm Heaven couldn’t be easier to learn; you play the entire game by tapping, holding and flicking the touch screen according to a specified rhythm while holding your DS like a book (Ninja Gaiden Style), buttons are virtually useless here and there is the always welcome left-handed option for those of you worried about it. The structure of gameplay is actually well planned and executed; you have to play sets of 4 songs, each with their own rules, tricks and a very useful tutorial that you can skip but you really have to play in order to have a better chance to complete the songs.

Once you complete these games you are given a grade according to your skills and if you do well then you will access a remix song, which is a song combining all of the previous challenges forcing you to keep them fresh on your mind or suffering the consequences. After successfully completing the remix you can play the next set.

After 30 relatively easy games you earn your right to watch the credits but that is not all you will find here; the credits unlock 20 more songs consisting on harder and more challenging versions of some of the original games and remixes, these songs are the hardest you will find here as you pretty much have to re-learn some of the games to get used to the new beats. Don’t worry if you fail a song and start thinking about throwing your DS like I did because after 3 failed attempts you are given the option of skipping it. This is a very cool option because there are no such things as easy difficulty or cheat codes on this game here and it’s a good way to motivate the player to keep playing, keep in mind however you cannot do this on the levels unlocked after the credits, you have to complete them in order to advance to the very end.

Talking about the music itself, there is a wide variety of songs and rhythms here; everything from a crowd of clapping monkeys (Blade Loves Monkey’s) to a DJ apprentice is here on Rhythm Heaven. You are not only invited but practically forced to trust the sound and your rhythm sense more than your eyes.

The main difference between Rhythm Heaven and other musical games is that it is actually easier to play some songs with your eyes closed, and it definitely improves your rhythm. I let a couple friend try it out and found their basic guitar hero skills (those consisting on rhythm, not finger ability) improved considerably. I’m not saying you will become a rock god just by playing Rhythm Heaven, but I believe it can be useful for those learning music, especially kids because of its friendly approach.

Graphics are pretty neat. It is a very well made mix of 2D and 3D graphics with a fair user interface. Some games can be very confusing because of the animations but you eventually learn that they are not important for gameplay. Graphic styles are purely Japanese but the adaptation for the western market has been properly done.

Replay value is actually quite challenging and big for a DS game; you are challenged to complete a random game with a perfect score, giving you 3 chances to do this and rewarding you with some extra mini games and guitar lessons. These challenges are randomly generated and it will take you quite some time to complete every one of them, if you ail one you will have to wait for it to repeat and it may take weeks or even months. If you want to take a break and relax you can access the café, sit back and play your favorite unlocked songs on your DS.

]]> http://www.agzonline.com/rhythm-heaven-it%e2%80%99s-heaven-on-earth-for-music-lovers/.html/feed 0 http://www.agzonline.com/slaying-and-chopping-was-never-so-dark-and-fun-the-dishwasher-dead-samurai-review/.html http://www.agzonline.com/slaying-and-chopping-was-never-so-dark-and-fun-the-dishwasher-dead-samurai-review/.html#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:45:04 +0000 Reeve. http://www.agzonline.com/?p=190

Prepare to experience a story of revenge, blood and anger… of a dishwasher.

Dishwasher: Dead Samurai a 2D beat ’em up game produced by Ska Studios that arrived to Xbox Live arcade last week. It has been named one of the best community-created games and deserves a good look. Microsoft has provided us with a copy for review so let’s see if it is actually worth your Microsoft Points.

The main mode of Dishwasher: Dead Samurai is the story mode. You play as; you guessed it, a dishwasher. Not a common dishwasher he is but I don’t really want to spoil you. You’ll find more about the story as you progress via comic book strips. This is a really cool way to attract attention of the player but unfortunately you only get to see 4 or 5 frames per stage, having no cut scenes or voice performances also makes the beginning of the story kind of slow and confusing. Your first run of the story mode should take you 5-6 hours to complete on easy and medium difficulties. On the other hand, the hardest difficulties are insane so set aside 10 to 12 hours. If you are looking for a challenge then get comfy, because you will die a lot more than you really expect.

Gameplay is very fun and sometimes very addictive, you have X and Y to perform your weapon attacks, B lets you grab and toss the bad guys and A lets you jump. Combining these actions with others like dodging, teleporting or performing special attacks gives you the chance to pull off some impressing normal or aerial combos. You will be mashing buttons in order to perform those mind-blowing combos and to get some of the achievements related to them. Combos are important to win HP and orbs, useful for purchasing items.

Your weapon selection is kind of limited as there are only 5 weapons to choose from, but this is not a big deal as you get the chance to switch between weapons in the middle of a combo, keeping your choices limited also lets you master all of your weapons faster. There are 14 levels available in the game where you will find and fight a wide variety of enemies from agents (a la matrix), really weird-looking robots and even some zombies. When you defeat an enemy you have the chance to execute them in many ways (decapitation, impaling, you name it) and if you choose the right one (hinted by the games name itself) you win some extra orbs.

Picks are special items you use besides orbs to upgrade your weapons, HP bar or special attack slots. Most of the picks are hidden or given to you by completing special challenges. For instance you play a guitar solo concert mini game similar to guitar hero. You can also earn picks by finishing a determined amount of enemies before time runs out in certain screens. You must be really wise and know your style to decide what to upgrade because these items are really limited, and you should always upgrade the weapons you know how to use first, because you don’t know if you are going to find more picks later.

Story mode has multiplayer options, but they are kind of hard to understand. You don’t have the right to play multiplayer until you find a couple items. One of them lets you connect a guitar controller to your Xbox 360 and play as a ghost guitar; you move and help the dishwasher playing cords and actually lifting the guitar up. Unfortunately I have found this innovative idea become a very bizarre and kind of boring way to play. On the other hand the second item lets you play as the dishwasher’s shadow. As the shadow, the second player has the same abilities and weapons as the dishwasher.

This shadow character has an HP bar as well and actually dies but respawns after some time if the dishwasher manages to stay alive long enough. Playing with a friend as your shadow makes the game easier, but as the shadow also gets to kill stuff the first player’s score will also decrease if you choose this mode of play. Notice that these special items are the only way you will play the story mode with a friend.

The next mode on the list is the arcade mode. These are levels of one screen only, and your goal is to kill a predetermined number of foes without dying. You can play this by yourself, locally with a buddy or using Xbox Live to find someone to play with. There are a lot more levels in this mode than story, but it will only take you 2 or 3 minutes to complete each one. A cool thing about these levels is the change of rules; your weapons and special powers are already decided and you must fight according to special instructions for each level; things like fighting exclusively with aerial combos or having the damage increased by 4x. Unfortunately this change of rules is only in arcade mode; no other mode can enjoy this option.

There is also a survival mode called the Dish Challenge. You choose your weapons, have max special attacks and everything set up for you to slay as many bad guys as you can before dying. Then your score is uploaded to a leader board and you “compete” online for the best score. Not too bad but I’d have loved to see a 2 or 4-player option for this mode as well.

You have a training mode as well. There is not much to say about it as it is an empty room where you are slaying just air. It is useful to perfect those hard to nail combos, but boring after a while.

Visuals are generally good. All characters are well made and properly react to your actions. One of the best graphical achievements has to be the blood animation; you shall see lots of it. Unfortunately the backgrounds are very repetitive and not as polished as they could be. Complex screens have items like boxes or cages but unfortunately you cannot interact a lot with them. I’d love to see breakable boxes, spikes or even electric wires that you could use with finishing your combos. The music in Dishwasher: Dead Samurai is actually pretty good if you pay attention to it, and if you focus a lot on the battles you won’t even notice the music is there. Unfortunately sound effects are not as good, slash and slice effects are well done but screams and shots could use a little bit more realism.

Overall you will be playing around 10 to 12 hours in order to explore everything The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai has to offer. You may have to put in a couple more hours to get missing achievements. The action can get repetitive but it is also a very fun button masher. I know this game may sound a lot like Alien Hominid, but I can tell you it’s different, darker and sometimes a more challenging experience.

The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai was originally created by a single man (thank you, James Silva) and I have to say he really made a terrific game out of a cool and original concept. If you are into action, fast paced bloody games, The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai is definitely for you. If you hate to die a lot and find hard challenges frustrating, you may want to save those Microsoft Points.

By Reeve

Ninja Blade release date is this Tuesday so it’s time for a little preview before we decide if it’s worth our 60 bucks.

Ninja Blade tells the story of Ken Ogawa, a young modern ninja trying to save Tokyo from a terrible invasion of yet-unknown creatures of many forms and abilities. Feels like a familiar story for some of us, but hopefully the entire game will have a decent story and interesting twists. Ninjas are cool, but let’s face it, we’ve seen almost everything. It’s a big challenge for From Software. I really expect Ken to have personality, to see some cool support characters or rivals and overall, to see someone actually cared about the script for this game.

Comparisons between this game and Ninja Gaiden are inevitable. Ninja blade seems to offer most of the thing we’ve experienced before; you get to wield different weapons, you have to defeat a considerable number of foes on screen to get to the next part of the level, you have the chance to upgrade your weapons and learn special techniques (called ninjutsus). Everything on that list sounds familiar right? Well, fortunately Ninja Blade has its own strong points to help it get over those comparisons; this game actually uses a lot of quick time events making the change of pace an important thing in this game, one moment you will be smashing buttons and the next you’ll calculate the right timing and sequence for each scene. For what we’ve seen so far, these events are definitely going to be a big part of action sequences and boss battles.

The game also offers beautiful scenes and cinemas, for monsters I mean. Moves are fast paced and well executed. Enemy AI is decent and boss battles are very impressing. There is a lot of blood everywhere, exactly as I expected. If they manage to keep an intense experience and the action flowing when they have to, while solving some old problems of its predecessors, like those annoying camera angles, we’ll have a pretty decent action game this week to help us forget that other ninja guy, at least for a moment.

Just a little more and we’ll get to experience the complete ninja adventure on this exclusive Xbox 360 game. Go download and play the demo, then let us know what you think. Adrenaline Gaming Zone will let you know more about this game later, stay tuned.

By Reeve