Mayhem 3D Review (XBOX 360 Version)

Rev up your engine and enter the dream-like fairgrounds of Mayhem 3D. Compete in visceral/destructive steel on steel battles in various different challenges, as you try to survive impending doom. Most of all, give this unique indie/budget title a shot.


Mayhem 3D Review

Rio Review (XBOX 360 Version)

THQ's latest release is an interactive tie-in for the recently-released animated film, Rio. It's a multiplayer party game in the vein of Mario Party and will only cost you thirty dollars.

How does it stack up against its competition? Read on:

Rio Review

Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars Review Link (Nintendo 3DS)

Though it's a major departure from the tried and true Ghost Recon formulas that we've grown accustomed to, Shadow Wars is a great game that is sure to please open minded fans. Those who love strategy games will want to definitely pick this one up.

Read my full review:

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars

Portal 2 Review (PlayStation 3 Version)

My Portal 2 review is now complete and is up for your perusal at We Got This Covered. It's a fantastic game that fans of the first game and newcomers will both enjoy. Two campaigns which are each longer than some entire games provide a ton of fun and engaging content. Steam Cloud is amazing too.

Read my full thoughts here:

Portal 2

Section 8: Prejudice Review Link (XBOX Live Arcade Version)

TimeGate's anticipated XBOX Live Arcade release of Section 8: Prejudice is upon us. The game was released today and is an interesting experience overall. If you're a fan of multiplayer games, then it's something that is worth looking into, especially at its low price tag of just fifteen dollars. Of course, it's also available on PSN and is scheduled to be released on PC later on.

Here is a link to my full review, which I wrote for We Got This Covered:

Section 8: Prejudice

Thanks for your perusal. I'll see you on the battlefield!

3D Twist and Match Review (PlayStation 3/PSP Minis)

Twist different three-dimensional items until you get them to fit into a specific silhouette. That's the premise of 3D Twist and Match, a unique Mini that is compatible with both the PlayStation 3 and Portable systems. Developed and published by Sanuk Games, it's a puzzle game that uses simple game design to try to appeal to those on the go who like to play games for five or ten minutes at a time. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit into the planned groove.

Three-Dimensional Twist and Match is essentially a 360 degree puzzle game. Each item has a specific position it needs to be in and players earn points based on how successful they are at rotating it into that position. This is all done via the directional pad (or left joystick) for rotation and the use of the left and right shoulder buttons to shift the item. It's very simple, but it's something the like of which isn't seen very often in gaming. Though it's quite similar to the popular baby toy where you have to fit the right shape into the appropriately sized hole.

Through the main menu, two different challenge-based game modes are accessible, although they're both very similar apart from time differences. Classic Mode allows players to play with a time bar that constantly depletes as they try to rotate objects into the correct position that is shown by a black silhouette in the middle of the screen. Once the time gauge runs up, the game is over. The player's points (earned by matching items with variations depending on speed and consecutive match multipliers) are tallied up and added to the (offline) leaderboard. In order to add some variety to the experience, the background image and types of items change after every five or so. The ten available themes include a construction site, a graveyard (representing Halloween) and a beach. The items you rotate are the types of things you would see in that location, such as a ghost, power tool or a two piece swimming suit.

The second mode that is available is a difficult challenge mode. In this mode, you are not allowed to fail even once. No retries are allowed. You must find the correct position for every item that comes up, or else the words game over will pop up immediately. It'll happen a lot, as it's really tough even on easy. Unfortunately, it's more frustrating than fun even though it's a decent idea for this type of game. A leaderboard is also available for this mode, but it's also offline. For those who do wish to improve their skills for this mode especially, there is a practice mode. Different theme sets that you play with in the main modes become unlocked in practice mode.

Though its design is unique and interesting, the gameplay is unfortunately very simple, tedious and more frustrating than fun. A poor control scheme and shadows that lack clarity really mar the experience. It's sometimes very difficult to see what position an item is supposed to be in, especially when it's supposed to have its top facing inside of the screen. This is made even harder by the fact that the items take up a large part of the middle of the screen. Rotating and flipping the items can also be quite clumsy at times, leading to a lot of frustrating moments of spamming the controls just to try as many different positions as possible, before the time limit runs out. It's nice that they added leaderboards and unlockable medals for including tasks, but they will only interest more seasoned gamers.

Visually, the game is nothing to write home about. The limitations of the Mini format must be understood and taken into account when one is playing one of these releases, but the visuals just aren't very nice to look at. There are a lot of jagged edges on the items and their silhouettes, which really draws attention away from its gameplay. Plus, most of the background images look like they were just thrown together at the last minute as most are very basic and static representations of locations or holidays. The company's two previous Minis releases looked a lot better - especially Pix'n Love Rush, which was great all-around.

The audio is the same thing. Really underwhelming, overall. The only bit of audio the game really has is a musical score that most people who play it will almost immediately turn off due to its grating qualities. You can tell that they tried to make the music upbeat and catchy so that it would add to the experience by increasing tension, but it fails to do that. The tunes used are very upbeat, but sound a lot like chip tunes that are played too fast. It was a missed opportunity.

Unfortunately, 3D Twist and Match fails to deliver a compelling gaming experience, even at its low price of two dollars and fifty cents. The idea is interesting, but the gameplay has no lasting appeal. There isn't much of an incentive to go back to it after the first time you play it because it lacks online leaderboards and doesn't offer much in the way of replay value. Additionally, it's far too difficult, especially when you take its aforementioned control and depth issues into account. Hardcore puzzle fans who are looking for unique games may find this one interesting, but the majority of people will probably want to try something else instead.

Rating: 2.5/10

3D Twist and Match was released on the PlayStation Network on April 12, 2011. It sells for $2.50.

Pokemon White Version Review (Nintendo DS)

The Pokemon series has become iconic since its debut in the 90s, and has become quite popular in more than one medium. Not only are the games incredibly successful around the world, but the spin-off Pokemon Trading Card Game and television shows/movies have also done phenomenally well over the years. It's a series that always gets away with providing the same gameplay formula in almost all of its main releases, and people never really complain. What is it about the world of Pokemon, its design and the addictive 'Gotta Catch 'Em All' feeling that sits in once a gamer begins his journey with a virtual Pokedex?

Pokemon White and Black Versions were recently released as one of the last major releases for Nintendo's regular DS platform, and its different iterations. This review focuses on the White Version, though the games are nearly identical apart from altered locations and some different Pokemon (including different legendary species.) Like most releases in the series (since day one with Pokemon Red and Blue, in fact,) the games were released as a pair. In order to successfully capture every Pokemon available, gamers must put hours upon hours into each version of the game, unless they're lucky and get the opportunity to trade with a friend or online acquaintance who has the Pokemon they require from a different version of the game.

As almost everyone is surely aware, the Pokemon games are role-playing games that do an excellent job of being kid friendly, while still appealing to the hardcore gaming crowd. The series is one of the only video game franchises that is able to do that, so it's a testament to its quality, addictive gameplay and its staying power. Pokemon White Version mainly follows the series iconic formula, as its campaign also focuses on having gamers set out into the wild, unknown world, in order to document the different types of Pokemon that are out there. The beginning of the game sets up the quest by having a scientist entrust the main character (male or female, depending on the gamer's choice,) with something called a Pokedex, which keeps track of all of the Pokemon said trainer captures. Though there's much more to it than just that, just like there almost always is.

In the old days, Ash Ketchum was always bothered by a malicious team of Pokemon trainers known as Team Rocket. Throughout the games' campaigns, there would be countless run-ins with members of the team who would try to put an end to Ash's journey with his Pokemon. Though Team Rocket isn't in Pokemon Black or White (and neither is Ash,) their spiritual successor are included in the form of Team Plasma. Over the course of the game, players run into Plasma's members (and even their leaders,) who express the interest of saving Pokemon from their trainers because they feel it is wrong to keep the little guys captive. Though there's obviously something sinister behind their motives, from the get-go. The game's campaign focuses heavily on their plot and motives, and they unravel as the game goes on.

This time around, the games take place in the Unova Region, which is a place far away from the environments in previous games. Though it includes a lot of the same tropes as previous environments in the series, there are also a bunch of new wonders and additions, such as three-dimensional cities to walk through, with different paths. The 3D effect looked quite good on the DS, as did the perspective changes that went with them. Additionally, the game also features some three-dimensional bridge crossing sequences that look good with the added depth that it brings. Of course, this is the 3D design/environments that we've seen since Star Fox on the Super Nintendo - not the type of 3D that the new Nintendo 3DS employs. Though the game does work really well with that unique new device.

When you boil down a Pokemon game to a basic genre, what is discovered is that the games are essentially traditional turn-based role-playing games. If you're unfamiliar with the term, think of an older Final Fantasy title. Though, instead of forming a party of characters, the Pokemon series forces players to assemble and train a team of different types of Pokemon, who have different moves, skills and weaknesses based on their type and some other in-depth stats. The aforementioned types include water, fire, electric, psychic and fighting, among others. Fire types are weak against water attacks, and water types are weak against electric types. Makes sense. The core gameplay involves you sending out your team against a foe's Pokemon team (or species that you meet in the wild,) fighting until only one team remains. There are different types of battles other than just one on one though, as the game also employs double battles and the odd triple battle. They're interesting new additions and don't feel over-used, which is nice. The speed at which you choose your attacks can be detrimental, though it's generally turn-based combat. Of course, status effects (confusion, paralysis, etc.) and moves that reduce speed and other abilities, also play a big part.

Those who love the series and spend hours playing each release will be happy to know that all of the game's subtleties are back. The complex item management that can lead to different effects, forced evolutions (most Pokemon evolve into superior beasts after a certain amount of experience,) and status changing berries, all make an appearance. Though they're not necessary. This is one of the ways that the game does a good job of catering to each group because children and families can play the game without even worrying about these items/aides, while the more involved crowd will love the fact that they can use them to create specific effects or alterations. The lucky egg was the most helpful item because it allowed the Pokemon who was holding it to gain more experience than normal in battle. This made them level up a lot faster than they normally would have, which was a big help during training times.

Most of the game is spent capturing and training Pokemon (including many new and unique species,) with the objective of earning all eight of the world's gym badges. Each gym has a leader who specializes in different types of Pokemon, with one gym altering the trainer you fight based on your team's elemental focus. The gyms in this game are much more creative than they were in the past, as they take place in creative areas (such as a frozen warehouse, a rollercoaster and a museuem,) with interesting designs and puzzles. Instead of being static paths like they used to be, which is nice. The mechanic of asking you to face a few different trainers before you're able to square off against the gym leader is still there, though there are sometimes more than just a few to take on beforehand. Other than that, the gym battles haven't changed too, too much. It's nice to see that they did evolve a bit, though.

A major addition to this dual release is seasons. Along your journey, the seasons will change and it will affect the way that you interact with the world, as well as the types of Pokemon that show up in the wilderness. It's a genius addition because it makes perfect sense and adds more length and depth to the game. Winter is the most world altering season because waterways will freeze, allowing you to slide over them - sometimes to new areas. However, though it opens up some new places, it also makes getting around a bit more difficult, as you can only slide in one direction. Protruding rocks will stop you and allow you to change your direction, while on the ice. Sometimes it can be quite puzzling, but the season-based puzzles are never too challenging. As mentioned before, one of the gyms is a frozen warehouse, which uses these same sliding mechanics.

The campaign was generally quite impressive and well-written. Though, there were some issues. Although the series has shown progress over the years, the gameplay hasn't evolved much and that may turn some people off. Additionally, it felt like the random battles were far too frequent (and even sometimes too infrequent.) What is meant by this seemingly contradictory statement is that there were times where every second step would result in a random encounter with a wild Pokemon, though there were also times where it would be a little while between encounters. When they were too frequent, it was sometimes frustrating. Luckily, there is an item known as repel that stops Pokemon from popping up for a certain amount of steps. That came in handy sometimes.

One major design flaw that was addressed this time around was the joining of the Poke Mart and healing centres. Instead of having to go to different buildings to heal your team and buy items for them, you can now do it in one place. Though it wasn't by any means game breaking in the past, it was a bit of a minor nuisance. However, the computer system that allows you to store your Pokemon that aren't being used is still clunky and could do with an upgrade. It's strange that, after all of these years, they still haven't altered that odd design. You can place one in the box and then withdraw another through the same menu, which doesn't make much sense at all.

To say that it's a lengthy experience would be an understatement. There is the potential for hundreds of hours of gameplay. Though the core campaign can be finished in between twenty to thirty hours, there is a lot of post-game content that will keep you busy for a long time. It's not just collecting the Pokemon you missed either. There are some extra quests, new legendary (and classic) Pokemon introduced into the wild, and new areas. Additionally, you can also face off against the Pokemon League's Elite Four and champion if you wish (it would be the second time you'd fight the Elite Four.) Though it'll take hours of leveling up your team to approximately level 70 in order to stand a chance in the battles. Your first encounter with the Elite Four can be completed around level 50. Needless to say, this is one game that you will get your money's worth out of. It can keep you playing for months. Not to mention the Battle Train which puts you up against a ton of foes on moving trains, as well as the Pokemon musicals you can participate in, and the sports domes where athletes will challenge you. There's a ton of stuff to do during the campaign and after the credits roll.

Online play is also available, allowing virtual Pokemon trainers to battle it out against their friends, as well as random online challengers. It works very well, like the rest of the game, though it's not as immersive as the campaign. Trading through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Network is also available, allowing you to swap Pokemon with pals. Of course, you can also import your Pokemon from previous titles, though it's an option that is only available after you've completed the game's main campaign.

Even though the DS has touchscreen capabilities that a lot of different games utilize to a great extent, the Pokemon games have never forced gamers to use their stylus for gameplay in the past. Pokemon Black and White are no different, as the touch screen controls are optional. They mainly factor in when you're in battle or cycling through menus, allowing for easier use. However, the directional pad and face buttons work just fine. The overall control scheme is very basic and easy to understand, though the game's complexities are there for the hardcore fans. It's very easy to just pick up and play, even if you haven't had any experience with the games before. Just be careful - you won't want to put it down once you begin.

The game's visuals are impressive considering the handheld device's power. It does a good job of creating three-dimensional characters with lots of detail, and has some nice cutscenes, character designs and sprites. The three-dimensional cities and bridges look excellent and feature some very nice perspective (camera) changes as you walk through them, which was a nice touch. It's also worth noting that Pokemon are much more active during battle, moving in place, instead of just appearing as static images. Their moves also feature some really nice additions and very few look close to each other.

Its audio is also quite impressive. The original score is loud, features some great composition and excellent sound quality. It does a good job of setting the tone of the game and its battles, which can be especially dangerous when weather effects play a role, such as rain or sandstorms. Sound effects play a huge part in the game because each Pokemon has its own unique sounds. All of their moves do as well. An impressive amount of thought, effort and creativity has gone into the game's sound design and it shows.

Overall, Pokemon White Version is an excellent game. Fans of the series will love it and it's no wonder that it's been selling like hotcakes. It does a lot of things very well and features the iconic and addictive gameplay that the series is known for, with some new additions and a lot of polish. The new additions work really well, with the seasonal changes playing a big role in the gameplay and the three-dimensional cities providing some wow moments in terms of visuals. Though there are some odd design flaws and some gamers may find that it is a bit too repetitive and/or similar to previous titles. If you're looking for something that will keep you playing for hours on end, then this is definitely worth looking into. You really cannot go wrong with picking this one up.

Rating: 9/10

Pokemon White and Black Versions were released for the Nintendo DS on March 6, 2011. The games were developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo.

Dynasty Warriors 7 (PlayStation 3 Version) Review Link

If you've been itching to find out about Dynasty Warriors 7 and how good it is, here's your chance. I just added a review of the game on Video Game Talk last night. Read my thoughts about this Romance of the Three Kingdoms-inspired hack n' slash/tactical action game.

Here is a direct LINK

If you have any questions about the game, please don't hesitate to comment and ask.

Warriors: Legends of Troy Review (PlayStation 3 Version)

I reviewed Koei's recent release, Warriors: Legends of Troy, for Video Game Talk. It's a tactical action game that takes place over the course of the Trojan War and features many different warriors from each side of the iconic war.

Please give it a perusal.

LINK

Fans of the movie 300, Greek mythology and/or Dynasty Warriors, will find interest and entertainment within the game. It's developed by Tecmo-Koei Canada and was relatively impressive.

It is a PS3 exclusive in North America, but XBOX 360 owners in Europe and elsewhere can pick it up for their system.

Rush n' Attack: Ex-Patriot Review (XBOX Live Arcade Version)

It's the dead of the Russian winter, and you're tasked with infiltrating a secret military compound. Your goal? To try to save a member of your team who is imprisoned on the grounds, and has been for fifteen years - ever since he was first sent in during the Cold War. The secondary goal is to make sure that the Russians haven't been working on a new missile program, without the rest of the world knowing. If so, do whatever you can to sabotage the experiment before it becomes a threat to the United States and, eventually the rest of the world. If you choose to accept this mission, then it's you without any support. Interested, soldier?

Developed in the Czech Republic by Vatra Games and published by Konami, Rush n' Attack: Ex-Patriot is a sequel to the popular 1985 Nintendo game, Rush n' Attack. It's a downloadable action game, which sends players into hostile Russian territory with little more than a knife and the clothes on their back. It seems that Russian miners found a formerly unknown material known as ulyssium, which they've used to develop powerful nuclear missiles. You're the only person who can put an end to it and save your former ally before it's too late. Being the only man inside enemy lines, means that your main task is to complete your objectives without causing too much attention. Due to that, stealth plays a bit part within the experience.

The action within Rush n' Attack takes place in side-scrolling fashion, as gamers look at the world in 2.5D. It is structured a lot like Shadow Complex, where each level is a 2D maze, filled with tons of hidden areas. Players must work their way from one end of the levels to another, completing objectives along the way, such as finding bombs, destroying nukes and freeing prisoners. Instead of being gun heavy like most games of this type, Vatra Games decided to make it more of a melee combat centric experience. Due to this, the main character (Sargeant Sid Morrow - call sign, Wolf Spider,) predominantly utilizes a knife to take out his opponents. Though guns are picked up at certain points of the game, they usually have a very small amount of ammunition and can only be used for a brief amount of time because of that.

Although the original game it succeeds was a very fast-paced action game, Ex-Patriot features a slower pace with much more methodical gameplay. Each of the game's three lengthy missions takes place in a different part of the base, where gamers must utilize stealth to try to take out enemies without being noticed. Becoming noticed doesn't mean it's game over, but you don't earn as many points for taking guys out in open conflict. The scoring system awards stealth kills with the highest amount of points possible, and it's important to complete as many as you can if you ever hope to earn an S rating on each level. Stealth kills also make the game a lot easier, as they are on hit kills. You can perform them with either X or Y, with the former being used for light attacks and the latter for slower/stronger attacks.

Players can run and slash their way through the game if they'd like, but it's quite tough, especially on veteran difficulty. Enemies are challenging to fight as they block a lot, with a lot of them holding powerful weaponry. It's your choice, but keeping to the shadows and planning surprise attacks from sunken doorways, ceiling hiding spots and other hidden areas is recommended. Of course, there are three different difficulties available, with the option to choose easy, medium or hard. Hard is required to earn an S-rating, however. You're also graded based on your completion time, as each mission has a par time that must be achieved in order to get a good rating. Boss battles take place at the end of each mission, and they can take a little while. The first two are well-designed, but the last one was unfortunately very poor.

Extra-curricular exploration is rewarded through the in-game scoring system (and an achievement,) if you are able to find each of the 36 ulyssium crystals hidden throughout the campaign. There are twelve to be found in each mission, so a lot of your time will be spent scouring air vents and tiny crevices in order to try to find every single one of the blue, glowing crystal formations. Unfortunately, in an odd and frustrating design choice, the crystals that you find are only linked to one playthrough. This means that you must find them all in one run to get the achievement. There is no opportunity to go back and play the missions again with your collectible statistics, despite the fact that the game features a level select option. This was discovered after finding 35/36 of them. Most of the time though, they're quite easy to find, although some require valiant exploration.

In addition to its exploration, stealth and combat, the game also features some basic switch puzzles. Sometimes you will need to flick a couple of switches to lower radioactive fluids in a room, so that you can get progress. Other times, you'll need to use switches to open doorways, or find key cards that will open them for you. The puzzles aren't anything to write home about and never push the envelope, but they make you explore the world a lot. Sometimes the use of a gas mask or night vision goggles will be required, though they're quite easy to come by. You only need to pick them up once, but can find them in several places as you make your way through the levels.

The game's campaign is quite lengthy, with its three missions lasting more than one hour - with two hours being the average, experienced on veteran difficulty. The maps are quite large and there is a lot to do that will keep you busy for quite a while. Plus, there are some really challenging sections. Its combat system works pretty well, but there are times where the controls aren't as precise as they could have been, allowing for input lag during the odd block attempt. The game's structure and core gameplay are quite generic, but there is some fun to be had, despite repetitive gameplay. The problem is that it never evolves at all, so you're doing the same things over and over again, only with the ability to use a couple more gadgets at the end of the game. It would have been nice if there was more variety to the experience, and a more fleshed out combat system, because most encounters boil down to pressing X or Y to attack a few times, blocking, and then repeating that. There are several combos that you can use if you feel like it.

Rush n' Attack: Ex-Patriot looks pretty good, with detailed environments and relatively shiny visuals. Though there is a noticeable lack of variety within the locations, leaving most areas within the game looking quite similar and dull. The game's character models are reminiscent of those found in the Bionic Commando: Re-Armed games, as most of the time you're just up against basic enemies who look identical. Each character model looks okay and animates pretty well, but there's nothing unique or memorable about them. Though it looks quite basic, it also looks impressive in some ways. The only two cutscenes to be found are at the beginning and end of the game, and are hand-drawn in a comic style. They were pretty well done, and it would have been nice to have seen more of them.

Ex-Patriot's sound is another mixed bag. Since a lot of the game relies on stealth, audio isn't an overly prevalent aspect. There is an original score that sounds decent, but silence is used quite often, and is relatively effective in setting the mood for the type of game that it is. The sound effects work is generally pretty good, with quite a few of them utilized, however there are some that can become grating. The most annoying one would be the old-school death grunt that occurs when your main character is taken out in battle. It got quite annoying after a while. Most of the time, you'll hear your knife hitting the enemies' metal claws, gunfire or explosions. Sometimes alarms as well, as you can be spotted by security cameras, which will close down the area you're in, allowing multiple enemies to come at you at once.

The game's storyline is particularly macho, and is told through the use of dialogue screens. The two conversing characters' images are shown, with dialogue bubbles stretching out beside them. This is a missed opportunity because it's incredibly generic and takes players out of the experience. One of the weirdest things about it is the fact that, if you press A to progress the conversation, it will skip to the next character's bubble instead of skipping to the end of the current dialogue bubble. Most games allow you to press A to fast-forward scrolling text, but this is something new. If you press A to skip through something during a conversation scene, the only way you'll be able to read what was said during the skipped dialogue is to squint to see the muted gray tones that the text has been reduced to in the background. Only the current dialogue that is being spoken is shown in full black.

Overall, Rush n' Attack: Ex-Patriot is a mediocre experience. There is a lot of potential that wasn't realized within the game design, and the experience is quite mediocre overall. Though, despite its issues, Rush n' Attack isn't a bad game - it's just one that doesn't push the envelope at all. There is nothing memorable or exciting about the game, when it's compared to other games within its genre, though most of its mechanics work pretty well, apart from the terrible final boss fight. If you're looking for something new to play and you like this type of game, then it's worth trying. However, it's not for everyone, despite its moderate price tag.

Rating: 5.5/10

Rush n' Attack: Ex-Patriot was released on March 30th for XBOX Live Arcade. It is also available on the PlayStation Network. The price tag comes in at 800 Microsoft Points or ten American dollars.

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile Review (XBOX Live Arcade Game)

Two years ago, independent game developer James Silva, released a creative hack n' slash Arcade game known as The Dishwasher. It was released to a great reception from both fans and reviewers. Fast-forward a couple of years and XBOX Live Arcade is once again going to be full of dismembered body parts, gallons of blood and angry samurai. In fact, there are two of them this time around. Once you insert the entry fee, prepare to go on a wild ride as you fight for answers to a series of twisted nightmares, leaving piles of body parts along the way. Just make sure there aren't any kids around because, needless to say, this is one of the most violent games out there.

Taking place after the events in the first game, The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile sees our titular hero and his sister reliving events from their past. Players can choose to play the campaign as either character, with each one having its own campaign. The game begins by showing Yuki experiencing some very intense nightmares, which catapults players into a quest to find out who is responsible for the nightmarish hallucinations. Along the way, Yuki and her brother are haunted by moments from the past, encountering 'marks' (important targets) along the way, who Yuki feels must be taken out. Battle your way through a myriad of different (and creative) environments, as you work towards obtaining the truth behind Yuki and her disturbing nightmares. The story is focused on Yuki more so than her brother, so make sure to play through her campaign first. The Dishwasher's campaign is an alternate version of events that takes place in many of the same locations, as he discovers what his sister is doing.

The Dishwasher was well-known for its fast-paced, but difficult, visceral hack n' slash combat. This sequel is the same type of experience, with incredibly fast-packed combat allowing for vicious combos and a million dismembered bodies left in your wake. As you progress through the game, you're tasked with utilizing various different types of weapons (such as swords, a large needle and a pair of scissors,) to take out tons of enemies who get in your way. Two separate loadouts can be created for each character, and the ability to switch between weapons is made easy by the use of the controller's two shoulder buttons.

Each of the two characters has their own weapons that can be discovered along the way, including different types of creative melee weapons and firearms. Each weapon has its own benefits and drawbacks, based on different damage, speed and weight stats. Yuki's weapons are generally smaller than her brother's, allowing her to constantly be able to blood teleport, while her brother can only do it when he is not holding a heavy weapon such as a gigantic hammer. Yuki also carries a chainsaw, whereas that weapon is absent from the Dishwasher's arsenal, allowing for him to have a dash attack instead. The aforementioned blood teleportation move allows you to quickly teleport around the environment (including teleporting up to the ceiling quickly) by the use of the right joystick. It's very helpful in combat and can allow you to keep combos going, teleport through gates and avoid attacks from dangerous foes.

As you progress through the game's two campaigns (which took between three and four hours to complete,) different types of dish magic will also become available for use. Each type of magic is assigned to one of the controller's four main buttons, allowing for easy use (once you've held down the required trigger button.) These four different types of magic include spirit magic that will heal you with the life essence of enemies, blade magic that sends out a bunch of swords that attack enemies, and a type of lightning magic that electrocutes nearby foes. Magic is available for use only when you have a magic skull, which is earned by defeating certain enemies in battle or eating a certain type of food. Players can add more skulls to their arsenal, by purchasing the increase through the in-game store. This is also where other items (such as health replenishing food,) and upgrades are available for purchase. Luckily, these upgrades carry over into your second campaign.

For those who may be scared of the game due to the insanely difficult campaign that its predecessor is known for having, there's no need to worry. After listening to the issues that some gamers had with the original's challenge, James Silva has added several different difficulty types, ranging from the unlockable Pretty Princess difficulty to an extremely difficult one. Heck, there's even a speed run difficulty. Playing through the campaign (twice) on normal was a decent challenge, but wasn't frustratingly difficult. It's nice to see that the developer listened to his fans and made the game more accessible for all gamers, whose skills vary.

In addition to the two campaigns, Vampire Smile also includes two other modes: Arcade Mode and Dish Trial. The Arcade Mode features 50 different challenges, which pit you against varying amounts of foes from the campaign. You are tasked with clearing out the level without failing. Conversely, the Dish Trial pits you against an endless onslaught of enemies with just one life. These modes add a lot of extra content to an already lengthy experience. Replay value is very high not only within these modes but also within the campaign. Multiplayer is also available, allowing for people to play with their friends and challenge their top scores in the in-game leaderboards. Both of those were down during the review session.

Its campaign and bonus features were very impressive. Vampire Smile runs extremely well (with only a couple minor framerate hiccups discovered while playing as the Dishwasher,) which is impressive considering how fast-paced the game is. Rarely do we see such a creative experience that is as finely-tuned and well-made as this. Though everything about it is incredibly stylized, there is also a lot of substance to complement it. The gameplay doesn't evolve a lot, but it's a lot of fun and doesn't become a chore due to repetition. One of the best features is the great amount of creativity that is employed in the enemy types, especially within the different types of bosses that players encounter along the way. The game also switches its style to 2D side-sidscroller with 8-bit zombie enemies, as well as a quiz show, at certain points. Fans will also be happy to know that the timed button press guitar solo sections also make a return.

James Silva and Ska-Studios employ one of the most creative and easily identifiable art styles within their games. So much so that it's always easy to tell which games he has worked on. Like its predecessor and the great Indie Game, I Made a Game With Zombies, Vampire Smile features a hand-drawn art style that utilizes muted tones with hints of colours. The art style is very reminiscent of a charcoal drawing and looks great. All of the characters animate well, but in a stylized fashion. There is a lot of blood spilled over the course of the campaign, with the odd drop hitting the screen. Overall, this is one of the most unique looking games out there. It's impressive to think that just one guy animated and coded the game.

Without very much voice acting, most of the game's story is told through the use of short comic panels with text bubbles. It works quite well for a game like this and the lack of voice acting did not detract from the experience at all. Vampire Smile makes good use of silence as well as sound, providing a good mixture of the two. Its original score sounds great, featuring some creepy rock music. Additionally, there are a myriad of different sound effects which fit in well, and sound great. The general quality of the audio is another impressive feature of this game. One of many in fact, showing just how much of a passion project this game really was.

In conclusion, The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is a gem. Fans of its predecessor and Ska-Studios will surely be impressed with the new additions, as well as the game's other impressive new content. Those who are new to the series will be able to pick up and play the game, so there's no reason to fear jumping into this game without having played its predecessor. The campaigns reference the events of the first game, but also do a pretty good job of having their own storyline. If you're looking for something new to play and enjoy hack n' slash games of this ilk, then this is a must-buy. The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is a very well-made experience that is very fun, despite somewhat repetitive gameplay. Luckily, its unique variety of weapons helps break up the repetition by allowing for new ways to take out your foes. Give it a shot and thank me later.

Rating: 9.5/10

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is available this Wednesday (April 6, 2011,) on XBOX Live Arcade. It is going to sell for 800 Microsoft Points - the equivalent of ten American dollars.