My Another 10 Christmas Wish List

Hello everyone, It's almost the day of Christmas that everyones loves spending time setting up their Christmas decoration & trees, preparing nice Christmas dinner for whole family, building up snowman outside of the house and getting nice gifts for their kids during a Christmas seasons.  

I've originally made my first 10 Christmas Wish List last year, so if you haven't seen my first ones from the last year then here's my link down below:

https://zeeshanmirzasblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/my-10-christmas-wish-list.html

I decided to make my another 10 Christmas Wish List that i'm planning to get these games for the Christmas holidays, so sit back and enjoy my 10 most wanted games for the Christmas. 

1 - Saturn Bomberman 

I really loved the Bomberman series so much. It's one of the Hudson's best video game series are known for amazing action-based maze gameplay, intense boss battles and crazy multiplayer battles where they can blow up each other with tons of bombs. 

Saturn Bomberman is concidered to be one of the best bomberman game for the Saturn which features excellent story modes which can be played on solo or teaming up with your friends on 2-player co-op. It has impressive maze levels, challenging gameplay, cool power-ups and wacky boss battles that made the game so awesome. What really made the game awesome is the multiplayer modes that supports up to 10-players on battle mode with 2 multi-taps adapter that made the game so much fun to play with 10 people in the same room. It's addicting, it's epic and it is definitely one of the best multiplayer game for the Saturn. 

2 - Megaman: The Wily Wars

                

Megaman series has the best games for the 2D run n gun genres by Capcom. Megaman: The Wily Wars is a video game compilation for SEGA Megadrive which features the remakes of the 3 classics Megaman games that are originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game was released in cartridge format in Japan and PAL regions, while the US was available exclusivity on the SEGA Channel service along with games like Pulseman and Alien Soldier.

I'm very glad that Capcom did make a interesting 16-bit remakes based on classic NES game which features updated graphics, arranged music and providing save data (via battery back-up) which allows game to continue without using a password features. It still retains a same gameplay style as the NES version, but it features exclusive game mode called Wily Tower where the players must travel though 3 different stages against new bosses. 

It's a very interesting video game compilation for SEGA Megadrive, but it's a shame that the US version was never released with cartridge format unless you can get the game as the reproduction copies from Ebay in cheaper price. 

3 - Transformers: Devastation     

      

I heard of this game is mean't to be a better transformers games on the series. Activision has asked one of the best video game developers team, who are very known for having such an awesome games like Madworld, Bayonetta and Vanquish, to take part of the game's development and they just finally got the game right where it should be. Platinum Games did a such a great job on this game that focuses on 80's nostalgia roots, fast-paced combat gameplay and amazing presentation that really puts Michael Bay's Transformers games into shame.

I'm definitely wanted to get this game for PS4 because I'm hoping to look forward to play this game.

4 - Panzer Dragoon 

          

Back in the days, I remember playing Panzer Dragoon when I was a kid. It's one of the memorable 3D rail-shooter for SEGA Saturn. I was surprised with the game's presentation with outstanding story and excellent FMV cutscenes. It has great levels with variety of boss battles, awesome gameplay mechanics with very good rail-combat and 360 degrees field of view, gorgeous 3D graphics with well detailed backgrounds and environment, and of course it has the outstanding CD quality orchestrated music that fits the mood of the game. 

Panzer Dragoon was well received in 1995 by critics calling it best games of 1995 and it was followed by the 1996's prequel Panzer Dragoon 2: Zwei and 2 sequels such as 1998's Panzer Dragoon Saga and 2002's Panzer Dragoon Orta.

5 - Rock N Roll Racing 

             

Hey Metalheads and Rock N Rollers, remember the 16-bit hidden gems classic racing game called Rock N Roll Racing. Yep, it is a vehicular combat-based racing game for Super Nintendo, SEGA Megadrive/Genesis, and it was later re-released on Game Boy Advance. 

It's very similar to the NES racing game like R.C. Pro-AM that uses the isometric perspective, but features with kickass insane power-ups and hazard objects. This game features with impressive driving controls, excellent racing tracks, 2-players modes and of course it has the licensed rock and metal soundtracks, such as Black Sabbath - Paranoid, George Thorogood - Bad To The Bone, Deep Purple - Highway Star and Steppenwolf  - Born To Be Wild are being arranged by video game composer Tim Follins did a terrific job with these licensed music running on the 16-bit console. 

This is definitely must own racing titles for those who likes playing racing game genres and listening to rock and metal musics. 

6 - Pulseman 

     

Pulseman is a interesting 2D action-platform game for the SEGA Megadrive. Like I've mentioned Megaman: The Wily Wars, It was originally released with cartridge format only in Japan, while the US version was being released exclusivity on SEGA Channel service.

It was made by same developer teams called Game Freak, who are best known for Pokemon series, made such decent game for the SEGA Megadrive's library. It does have impressive futuristic looking levels, cool power-ups and badass Megaman character look-like protagonist that made the game look stunning for the SEGA's 16-bit hardware. The game was also re-released worldwide for the Wii on the Virtual Console service and you can also get the reproduction copies of the game from Ebay in cheaper price. 

7 - Freedom Wars      

Freedom Wars is a Third-Person Action RPG games for PS Vita. It's a shame that the PS Vita didn't hold up well with the hardware sales, but the handheld system does offer some of the greatest libraries of the games out there. Freedom Wars is a game that takes place in the distant future where the mankind is imprisoned in penal city-states known as Panopticons which wage war against one another, so you take a control of the character cooperating together to fight against enemies and contribute towards their Panopticon. 

This game has sold well in the Japan as being the second highest all-time opening sales for Vita software and it gained positive review from the critics calling it solid action RPG for PS Vita titles with enjoyable single player and multiplayer modes. 

This is game that I'm definitely give a worth try for my PS Vita because I really love the handheld system with great libraries of games to play.   

8 - Crash Team Racing

I've never played the original Crash Bandicoot games before, but I heard a lot of good things about these series. The franchise were known for unique levels, addicting gameplay, stunning visuals and memorable main protagonist that made the first Crash Bandicoot so remarkable for PS1 library and it has sold 6.8 million units worldwide. They later made the 2 sequels such as Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strike Back and Crash Bandicoot: Warped, as well a kart racing game titled Crash Team Racing for the PS1. 

Crash Team Racing is a Mario Kart clone racing game where it focuses on team of characters, who must race against the egomaniacal Nitros Oxide to save their planet from destruction. It has 5 selectable racing modes, 15 playable characters and 4-player modes with multi-tap adapter. It has similar Mario Kart vibe for the gameplay style which really fits for the kart racing game's genres. 

This game was praised for having rock-solid multiplayer modes, fluid gameplay controls and excellent visuals that defines the PS1.

9 - Life is Strange 

I've never played any of the graphic adventure games until this game got me attention. Life is Strange is a episodic graphic adventure games where you get to play as school photographer named Max who discovers her ability to rewind time to make her right choice. After having foreseen an approaching storm, Max must take on the responsibility to prevent it from destroying her town.  

The game focuses on third-person view gameplay where you can able to interact with objects and puzzle-solving. It has choices of dialogue options are used for conversations during the event, so choices in dialogue will alter and affect the story through short or long-term consequences and the character can also use the rewind time to redo any action that has been taken. 

The game does have interesting point and click gameplay style and the story presentation that made the game sounds very unique for the graphic adventure genres and it has won several video game awards for amazing storytelling, great narrative, stunning performance, and being best episodic adventure game which can lead the game achieved financial and commercial success. 

10 - The Last Guardian 

     

I'm quite impressed with the Team Ico's previous games like Ico and Shadow of the Colossus which I have played it on the PS3 as the remastered version. These are the best adventures games I've ever played because I loved the Ico for puzzle aspects of gameplay, outstanding art visuals, and perfect presentation with great storyplot and impressive characters, while Shadow of the Colossus is one of my favourite on the series for well designed open world environment, beautiful made graphics, stunning presentation, incredible soundtrack and great combat gameplay mechanics that made me enjoy the most epic action-adventure games of all time. 

Sony has first announced the game called The Last Guardian in 2009 which is mean't to be made for the PS3, but unfortunately it suffered several delays due to hardware difficulties which causing the creator Fumito Ueda and other Team Ico members to work on the PS4 instead. They finally got the game ready in 2016 release and it turns out to be really great game for PS4, but it wasn't well received as the previous game such as Ico and Shadow of the Colossus which receives much higher praise review, but they still say it is quite enjoyable exclusive game for PS4.

The Last Guardian is a action-adventure game where you take control of young boy who befriends a giant half-bird-half-mammal creature named Trico. It features similar actions to the gameplay in Ico and Shadow of the Colossus for young boy's platform mechanics such as ability to run, jump and climb. It can also interact with the big creature using its animal instincts to solve puzzles during the gameplay. I'm hoping to have a hands on with The last Guardian for PS4 because I really enjoyed the previous 2 games, so this is definitely be on my Christmas wish list.

If you like my recent blog, please hit like and comment below for further questions. 

This is Zeeshan Mirza's Blog and I'll see you next time, happy blogging and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.

      

             

  

Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut PS4 Digital Download Review

Shantae: Risky's Revenge is a 2D platform game, which both developed and published by WayForward Technologies, and it is a sequel to 2002's game called Shantae for GBC. This game was originally released in between 2010 and 2011 for Nintendo DSi, and it was later ported to PC in 2014, then the PS4 and Wii U in between 2015 and 2016 as the Director's Cut, which features re-imagined warp system and new magic mode. 

I've never played the original Shantae for the GBC, but I heard a lot of great things about the game are considered to be a cult classics for the GBC according to video game critics and fans had given such higher praise for impressive graphics, quality sounds, larger exploration levels, and solid 2D gameplay that really shows off the GBC's hardware power.

I've bought the Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director Cuts from the PS Store on Cyber Monday sales for £5, which is a great value for me to purchase the game. So far, I really enjoyed playing this game because I'm quite impressed with the 2D metroidvania style gameplay with great exploration and amazing puzzles levels. I love the looks of 16-bit style graphics with nicer details of characters, well made levels design and it has decent look of visuals animation. The presentation has interesting storyplot to keep the story sounds incredible and of course Shantae is definitely one of the awesome female protagonist for the 2D platformer series. 

Without go further do, let's talk about the game's overall.

Presentation

The story takes place in Scuttle Town, Shantae and her friends went to annual relic hunters expo to see her Uncle called Mimic, who is relic hunter, has unveil his latest find an lamp, until Risky Boots crashes the expo and steals the lamp. After Shantae got knocked out in the battle against Risky Boots who got managed to escape, Mimic has reveals the news to Shantae about the three magic seals are allowing to release the lamp magic and she sets to find them to prevent Risky's plans. 

The story is much easier to follow because it has simple storyplot that made the game's presentation sounds interesting to watch during the cutscenes and I also loved the look of the slideshows with anime style characters design and I like the letterbox shaped dialogue are also easier to read. Most of the characters in the game are actually pretty good, like Shantae because she has really nice arabian outfit and long purple hair, I also liked the villain Risky Boots with pirates outfits and her pirate hat and the rest of the characters are looking quite amazing in the whole game. The each area in the game is looking magnificent with the towns, seasides, deserts, forrest, and dungeons are all well designed which really fits the game's presentations.   

Overall, the story is pretty straightforward, the characters are excellent, and well made level areas.

Gameplay

You take control of Shantae the half-genie to explore the whole areas in order to stop Risky's planning. 

Your main attack is her purple hair as whipping weapon and she also has magic spells that allows her to use ranged attacks. You can purchase the magic spells from the shop, such as fireball, pikeball and storm puff are quite a basic magic attacks, but you can also purchase a better ones like spitfire, flamethrower, super or mega pikeball and crush or mega puff which allows to perform higher damage attack to the enemies, but magic jams items are also required in order to purchase the updated magic spells and character's abilities, which magic jams items can be found somewhere in the area. Controlling Shantae is simple and easier to use because the character's movement feels much smoother and responsive while running, but you can also make her walk by holding the attack button. The whipping attack are also responsive with good hit detection on the enemies and objects, but you can also make her whipping abilities much faster by purchasing silky creme item which improves the whipping power and speed. You can also upgrade your character's health and magic meter by collecting heart holder that extends hearts and purchasing magic fill that slowly refills your magic meter automatically, but you can also use potion and magical vial which is a quickest way to increase your health and magic meter faster. Your character has ability to use transformation relics such as monkey that allows player to climb and jump on walls, the elephant are used for smashing rock to gain access to the secret levels and the mermaid are used for swimming under the water which is very useful for puzzle level aspects. 

The levels in the whole game are quite good for the exploration like searching for key to gain access to the next level, finding secrets inside the cave, collecting the important items to give someone, obtaining the new relics, and warping in different areas is kinda give a metroidvania style gameplay, which I kinda liked the idea how the game is played. I say the map area is okay, but at least they could have been made the overworld map design bit better, but that's okay to me. The boss battles are pretty decent to fight, but I finding the boss are quite overpowered which takes sometime to beat the boss during the battles.

The game is quite too short to beat the game, but if you want to go for the higher challenge then go for the magic mode which increases higher difficulty, so good luck for that.

Overall, it has solid controls, great range of attacks and magic, and stunning level exploration. 

Graphics

I really liked the look of the 16 bit style graphics. It has excellent character's design with impressive animations. The level environment has well detailed buildings in each areas and the background has stunning views of landscape and scenery. It does have some nice usage of colours and visuals effects to make the game look spectacular for 16 bit graphics. You can select any of screen options to stretch out the screen size such as 16:9, 4:3 with or without border and original size. I'm finding 16:9 size kinda looked bit stretched out, which doesn't look good with the 16:9 size. The original size looked pretty fine, but it's kinda looked too small for the HDTV,  but I always prefer to choose 4:3 size with or without border over the 16:9 and original size because the game looks better with the 4:3 size which is right for the screen resolution on the HDTV. 

Overall, it has excellent character's design, well detailed environment, and nice colours and visuals effects.    

Music and Sounds

I say this game has great arabian style soundtrack which fits the game's settings. It was composed by Jake Kaufman, who was known for composing music for Shovel Knight, Contra 4 and Ducktales: Remastered, did a fabulous job for making such incredible music in each levels. I really love the sound effects in the game which is quite good for the 16 bit style era. The developer teams did optimised the whole music and sounds well for the console ports from the original DSi version without making quality too thin or thick. 

Overall, it has awesome soundtrack and fabulous sound effects.    

Special Features

The director's cut do offer small things like new outfit costumes and new magic modes, but it has trophy support as well. There's not many unlockable stuff in the game, which they could have been added more newer features than this would have been nice too.  

Overall, it does offers the small things, but it needs to add more new content. 

Advantages

Straightforward storyplot

Impressive characters

Solid gameplay

Amazing exploration

Excellent graphics

Awesome soundtrack

Disadvantages

Short length single player

Overpowered boss characters

Not enough new special features

Final Verdict

Presentation 8/10 - Pretty straightforward storyplot, the characters are excellent, and well made level areas.

Gameplay 7.5/10 - Solid controls, great range of attacks and magic, and stunning level exploration.

Graphics 7.8/10 -  Excellent character's design, well detailed environment, and nice colours and visuals effects.

Music and Sounds 8.3/10 - Awesome soundtrack and fabulous sound effects.

Special Features 5/10 - Offers the small things, but it needs to add more new content.

Overall 7.5/10 - It is a really decent 2D platformer game for those who likes playing retro gaming. It has great story, amazing female protagonist, solid gameplay, amazing exploration, excellent graphics and awesome soundtrack that keeps the game so much entertaining. I'm very glad that the developer teams have bought the game to the PC, PS4 and Wii U, so if you're the fan of the 2D platformer genres then this is definitely must purchase from Steam Service, PS Store, and Nintendo eShop.  

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Valkyria Chronicles PS3 Review

Valkyria Chronicles is a Third-Person Tactical RPG game for PS3, PS4 and PC, both developed and published by SEGA. It was originally released in 2008 with the original PS3 version and then it was later released the PC Version in 2014, and PS4 version in 2016 as Valkyria Chronicles: Remastered. 

SEGA made some of the great RPG's games like Skies of Acadia, Shining Force, Phantasy Star and of course they have two of the best open-world adventure series like Shenmue and Yakuza that I'm the big fan of these two series. I decided to give a try with the Valkyria Chronicles for PS3 to see if this game actually made me enjoy to play because I love playing SEGA games. I've played it for a week to complete and so far, I really loved this game because it's one of the best Tactical RPG games for the PS3 titles. It has beautiful cinematic story, gorgeous looking visuals animation, well presenting cutscenes, outstanding orchestral soundtrack and well made combat gameplay tactics that made the game so incredibly epic. It received highly positives reviews and earned numerous awards from several video game publications, which led a success of the game spawned a media franchise, such as anime series and manga titles. They were later released two sequel for PSP, such as Valkyria Chronicles 2 in 2010, and 3 in 2011.       

Without go further do, let's talk about the game's overall.

Presentation

The game set in 1935 E.C and takes place in Europa, which is fictional region based on Europe during the early World War 2. It's starts off with the small narration of Second Europan War 2 history where it involved the evil empires of East Europan Imperial Alliance declaring the war on the Atlantic Federation, which causes the Second Europan War 2 happening.   

In March 1935, the town of bruhl was under attack by Imperial Alliance troops invading the hometown of Gallia. After fighting against the Imperials, Welkin and Alicia are managed to escape to the capital city of Randgriz and joins the army group Gallian Militia. Their mission is to defeat the evil empires in order to save Atlantic Federation and Gallia.      

The story in the game is sounds really stunning with excellent storyline, amazing dialogue text, and impressive cinematic scenes that keeps the game well presented and so entertaining to watch. The set of the presentation has World War 2 influence with the mix of fantasy and realistic war settings which makes the whole concepts worked really well in the game. I really liked the whole characters in the game. Welkin Gunther has interesting hobbies on natures, Alicia Melchiott has really nice bakery headwear, Largo Potter has badass sideburns and loves eating vegetables, and Bridgette Rosie Stark is more like a bad girl type, but great fighter. I say it's by far has the best story-written, fantastic presentation settings, and brilliant characters that increases the overall atmospheres. 

Overall, the developers team have stepped up in right direction with outstanding overall presentation.

Gameplay

It is in third-person perspective with tactical RPG elements, which uses the turn-based battle system. you can add and select any of the playable units on the briefing options, which has different kinds of classes, such as scouts, shocktroopers, lancers, engineers, snipers and tank commander. It also has mission objectives which has a list of goals to beat a level and what to prevent from failing missions. In the gameplay, your mission is to capture the enemy's base in order to complete the mission, so you will have a overhead map view in command mode where you can select any of the units with limited command points, so both of yours and enemy's team has turn taking each is depending on the remaining command points. In the action mode, your character has limited action point which has gauge bar that tells your character's movement that can only move around till it ran out the gauge bar meaning your character won't able to move around during the in-game. You can also take cover on the objects such as grass are used for stealth combat and hiding behind the objects are also useful to protect yourself from enemy's hit projectiles. 

The combat gameplay works absolutely great for the range of weapons and hit collisions. During the target mode, you can aim freely while your character still standing, allowing for head shots and other maneuvers depending on how many it's takes to kill your enemy. The scout class unit has simple balanced rifle, which is good for mild combat range, while stocktroopers has machine guns can give much damage to the enemies. The lancers and tank commander are quite good, which you can easily damage the tanks instantly if shooting on behind the enemy's tank generator, but your tank commander can also use mortar and turret gun are also useful during the battle. The engineer uses the tool kit, which allowing to recover your tank's health and giving the ammunition to different class units which is quite helpful during the battle. The sniper has better ranged weapon which can give a instant kill to the enemy, if aiming correctly on the enemy's head. You can also give orders to increase your class unit's status allowing them to have stronger attack and defence abilities at once and you can bring more reinforcements in your base depending on your remaining command points is also helps for bringing backup to your team in action.

In training field, you can improve your class units by increasing their EXP points allowing to level up your class, so you'll get some kinds of awards such as new class weapons, new orders and having better class abilities to improve your overall character's status, which is very helpful for the later chapter missions. 

You can also purchase the weapons, items, armour and tank for upgrades from the R&D section to boost the overall performance allowing to make it even better and stronger. 

Overall, it's plays really well with the excellent combat system, great use of tactics, challenging missions objectives, and more variety of gameplay makes the game playable, but even with the harder difficulty can be bit frustrating sometimes due to overpowered enemy's status takes a awhile to beat the level, but it's still fantastic game to play.

Graphics

The whole graphics has colourful scenery background and well designed environments that made the whole level design look totally magnificent for World War 2 settings. It has soothing visual effects that gives a game a nice fantasy look. I also loved the anime art style design that really fits for whole presentation and in-game battle which has outstanding character's design, great textures format and high quality animation that made the game look fascinating for PS3 era. I heard the PC and PS4 version is looked exactly the same as the original, but it's adds better overall performance with 60FPS and runs on 1080p to give a game more cleaner look. 

Overall, it's by far the best graphics for the PS3 system that made the game looked absolutely gorgeous. 

Music and Sounds

I got to admit this game has the most amazing orchestral soundtrack ever made by the composer Hitoshi Sakimoto, who are best known for scoring Final Fantasy XII, Ogre Battle, Radiant Slivergun, and Devilish, did such a ace job that really fits the game's settings. It sounds like the World War 2 vibe with dynamic instruments and atmospheric quality music that gives the game more heroic feel of the game's mood. It has great boom sound effects and impressive background sounds that really fits for cinematic cutscenes and in-game battles. The voice actors did a fine job for most of the characters with both English and Japanese audio.

Overall, it has outstanding music, impressive sound effects and fine voice cast. 

Special Features

This game has two playable guest like Vyse and Aika originally from Skies of Acadia, skirmish battles, some extra chapters, downloadable content, and of course it has some unlockables stuff like music, glossary, character's biography, and weaponry. I heard the PC and PS4 version are all definitive which has all included downloadable content.

Advantages

Best written story

Beautiful cinematic scenes 

Fantastic gameplay

Gorgeous animation

Outstanding soundtrack

Great special features

Disadvantages

Frustrating difficulty 

No trophy support on PS3 version

Final Verdict

Presentation 9.5/10 - Best story-written, fantastic presentation settings, and brilliant characters.

Gameplay 9/10 - Excellent combat system, great use of tactics, challenging missions objectives, and more variety of gameplay.

Graphics 9/10 - Colourful scenery background, well designed environments, soothing visual effects, and quality anime art style design.

Music and sounds 9/10 - Outstanding music, impressive sound effects and fine voice cast.

Special features 8/10 - Two playable guests, skirmish battles, some extra chapters, downloadable content, and of course it has some unlockables stuff.

Overall 9/10 - Valkyria Chronicles is definitely one of the most surprising tactics RPG games for PS3 titles. The developer teams did a such a ace job that puts the game more epicly fun and entertaining to play. It has best presentation that really puts the story and characters sounds more interesting. The gameplay is well played for excellent combat system and great use of tactics that increases the fun factor. It has magnificent graphics design and outstanding music that increases the overall atmospheres.

This is definitely must own hidden gems PS3 games for the fan of the RPG genres because it is one of the best RPG games for PS3. You can also get the game for PC and PS4 as well, if you want to have definitive game performance and all completed content. 

          

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Silent Hill: Shattered Memories Wii Review

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is a Survival Horror game for the Wii, PS2 and PSP, which developed by Climax Studios and published by Konami. It is a reboot of the 1999's original Silent Hill for PS1.

I really enjoyed playing the original Silent Hill is one of the best horror game ever made for PS1. It's has impressive psychological horror style, deadly graphic imagery with full of scary enemies and bloody environment, disturbing ambient soundtrack, excellent story written, and dramatic gameplay with great combat and puzzles that made the game so awesome in late 90's gaming. It's a shame that I won't able to play rest of the sequels like SH 2, 3 and 4 because I don't have the PS2 or original Xbox, but I heard a lot of good things about these games. Unfortunately Konami did later butchered the later silent hill games like HD collection, Homecoming and Downpour for the PS3 and X360 and then later Konami made a terrible decision by cancelling new Silent Hill game, after the 2014's P.T demo had received much praise for the atmospheres, visuals and gameplay until in Spring 2015, Konami decided to remove the P.T demo from the PS Store after the cancellation of Silent Hills development, which is a huge middle finger to the fans of the series, so that means I won't have a chance to download and play P.T Demo after I've bought my PS4 on last year Summer. F*** YOU KONAMI, JUST STOP KILLING YOUR OWN FRANCHISE!!!!!!

Okay, enough my rage quit, my apologies, let's start my game review right now. My thoughts on Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is actually pretty decent Survival Horror game for the Wii console. The game was quite looked different from the 1999's original game, which the developer team wanted to make a different approach of the game. It has same premise as the first installment, but with the different plot and retains same characters along with new ones. It has pretty good story and characters, impressive visuals, outstanding soundtrack and of course the gameplay plays great, but it does shares with some flaws, such as frustrating chase sequences, short single player length and the atmosphere is not nearly looked scary as the 1999's original, but it's still looked okay so far because it has some of the good moments in this game. So far, it's still pretty impressive game for the Wii titles and without go further do, let's talk about the game's overall.



Presentation

The story takes place in American town of Silent Hill, it's starts off with Harry Mason is driving to the town with his Daughter named Cheryl Mason for vacation, until he ends up having car accident and loses consciousness. When he finally woke up in town, he realises that his daughter is missing, so he starts to set out to find her in town.

The story is similar to the 1999's original, but the plot of the game seems to be sound different, as the game begins with a psychotherapy session conducted by Dr. Kaufmann, which acts as a frame story for Harry's quest and of course the game has a many variation of the cutscene depending what scenario you'll end up with and the multiple endings does adds the nice replay value that keeps the story so refreshing. So far, the story in the whole game is quite well done that really puts much effort to make it sounds pretty decent. The characters in the whole game are quite pretty good in the game because the developer teams wanted to make the characters in the game acted more realistic than the rest in 1999's original, so it's makes the whole characters becoming more interesting.  
I also liked the part where the town have shifted to different dimension between real life and nightmare. The game's atmospheres is still pretty not that bad for the use of static noise, enemies design choices and the setting of the game style, but it wasn't sounds scary as the 1999's original version, which has slightly better enemies creatures, darker horror elements, and creepy ambient sounds which I liked the original more better, but at least this game is still has a great moments to enjoy the story presentation.

Overall, It has stunning storyplot, decent characters, and replay values.



Gameplay

The game divides with two different settings, so you start off with the psychological test with the Dr Kaufmann to complete with the questionnaires and other activities, which alters the gameplay aspects in the second setting, such as available areas. In the second setting, you take control of Harry Mason to find his daughter in the snowy town.

You get to use some of the equipment, such as flashlight which is used for darker area and the smartphone are used for map location to find where you supposed to go during the exploration, taking photograph, checking voicemails and text message, and making phone calls are quite useful for finding clues and puzzle solving. Unlike the original game, the combat gameplay is pretty absent in this game instead your character can only run, hide, and knocking down object to block the enemy's path which is not that bad thing as long the game focused on the different horror style than just the common survival horror that uses the combat gameplay.

The controls are played great with the Wii remote and nunchunk controller. The Wii remote worked really well when using the flashlight, which you can point anywhere in different direction, but you can also turn the flashlight off when you're not in the darker area. You can interact the smaller objects to find the key to unlock the door and you can also collecting the mementos which is quite cool to collect stuff in the game. Controlling the character works pretty fine with the nunchunk controller, so your character has ability to run around and climbing over the fences which is pretty basic for character's movement.
I'm finding the chase sequences are quite hard is because finding a way to escape from the nightmare dimension takes sometime to get used too, but I find the enemies are quite annoying which is becoming quite difficult to push them away. Sometimes the places can be too confusing when attempting to escape, which took you awhile to find a right area instead of heading a same wrong places. I really liked the puzzle solving in the game especially with finding clues makes the game challenging and enjoyable to play that keeps the game fully playable.

Overall, it has impressive controls, good exploration levels, and decent puzzle solving.


Graphics

The graphics looked pretty great for the Wii titles. I really liked the looks of the level environment with fully covered snow and wracked places town in the real life dimension and the icy area in nightmare dimension is fully crystal and dark which looked great in the setting of the level design that fits the mood of the game. The special effects are looked amazing with snow particles flying down and the realistic looking water are looking so damn impressive in the levels. The character's design are looked quite outstanding for the whole game with great use of animations. It tends to be looked a lot better than the PS2 and PSP counterpart is due to Wii's quality graphics has lot more cleaner look that made the whole game looked absolutely marvellous for the overall graphics.

Overall, it's by far the best looking graphics for the Wii's titles with excellent level environment, amazing special effects and outstanding character's design.



Music and Sounds

The game really has a great soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka, who did composed the previous Silent Hill game, did a great job on the music. It has haunting soundtrack that fits very well for the horror genre and the sound effects are quite sounds great with the static noises and the phone calls conversation on the Wii remote's speaker which sounds pretty cool. The voice acting fits very well on every characters, but I find the enemy's voice and ghost's stock scream are sounds pretty weak compared with the 1999's original version are slightly sounds better in my opinion.

Overall it has great music, good sound effects and decent voice acting for characters.


Special Features

It has collectables mementos, but it's lacks unlockable features.



Advantages

Excellent story

Great characters

Decent gameplay

Outstanding graphics

Great soundtrack

Nice replay values


Disadvantages

Short single player length

Frustrating chase sequences

It wasn't scary as the 1999's original game

Lacks unlockable features


Final Verdict


Presentation 8.5/10 - Stunning storyplot, decent characters, and replay values.

Gameplay  7.5/10 -  Impressive controls, good exploration levels, and decent puzzle solving.

Graphics 8.8/10 - Excellent level environment, amazing special effects and outstanding character's design.

Music and Sounds 8.7/10 - Great music, good sound effects and decent voice acting for characters.

Special Features 3/10 - Collectable mementos, but has no unlockable features.


Overall 7.9/10 - So far, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is definitely a good game for Wii titles. I'm impressed with the story, replay values, visuals, soundtrack and of course the overall gameplay that made the game enjoyable to play, but even though the single player feels kinda too short, the chase sequences can be annoying to get used with, and they could have done something better with the overall atmosphere, but still it's a decent reboot to the original.

Overall, this game is definitely for those who are the fan of the series or got into with survival horror genre will able to enjoy it.

In my second opinion, I liked the Shattered Memories, but I definitely prefer the original Silent Hill for PS1 a lot better.    

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Top 5 Another games to play on Halloween

Okay ladies and gentlemen, I decided to make another top 5 for the Halloween season. Last year, I did already made the top 5 games to play on Halloween to discuss which games are actually great for Halloween, so if you haven't seen my last year top 5 games to play on Halloween here are the link down below to check it out first before you start moving on to my recent top 5's:

https://zeeshanmirzasblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/top-5-games-to-play-on-halloween.html

This time, I'm gonna make another top 5 Games to play on Halloween as a part 2 because there are plenty more great horror games that I really enjoyed playing and should recommend to everyone who are into with horror type of games, so this is my reason to make another top 5's for Halloween season. 

Here is my top 5 Another Games to play on Halloween. 

5 - Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare

I'm actually quite surprised to see Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare is the only game that I liked in the series since I couldn't get used to playing the original 1992's Alone in the Dark for DOS, but it was sounds impressive when the original game was came out in 1992, which had received much praised reviews and becoming a pioneer of 3D Survival Horror genre that heavily influenced on other video game franchises such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill. 

I had to give a another go with the Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare to see if this game are actually ends up being good, but it is pretty damn good so far after I've finished this game. It is the reboot of the classic 3D Survival Horror series and it was released in 2001 on PS1, PS2, GBC, DC and PC.  

What I liked about this game is the gameplay controls are slightly played better which is the greatly improvement over the original 1992 game and the puzzle aspects of the gameplay are pretty enjoyable which gives us a big challenge with great puzzle solving. It has amazing presentation with darker toned style of the game that increases the overall atmospheres and the monsters are looked quite creepy in the game. It has haunting soundtrack, two playable characters with different storyplot, and creepy graphics that made the game so disturbing, but it is definitely a decent survival horror games out there and you must definitely play this game on Halloween.

4 - Corpse Party

                    

Corpse Party (AKA Corpse Party BloodCovered: Repeated Fear in Japan) is a Survival Horror Adventure game for PSP (also PS Vita via PS Store), iOS and 3DS. It is the remake of the original 1996 game for NEC PC-9801, which is only released in Japan, while the remake version got finally released on US and EU in 2011. 

I had this game on my PS Vita (Via PS Store) is because I got it for the great summer sales 2 months ago and surprisingly after I've played this game, I actually really enjoyed playing this game even with the good sales price cost is quite worthy to purchase. This game got tons of great moments and horrifying experience to show how amazing the Corpse Party for the handheld system. 

This game involves group of Japanese school students are telling ghost story and decides to perform a charm that causing the earthquakes which teleports them to alternate dimension and is haunted by the ghosts of the school's murdered children. Their goal is to investigate the truth behind the mystery of the cursed schools and trying to survive and escape from the mysterious ghost that haunts the school.

This game has magnificent story presentation with mysterious plot, Japanese anime horror style settings with full of graphical gores, impressive slideshow with great dialogue and featuring excellent characters. It has linear horror adventure gameplay with some RPG elements, which can be played on top-down perspective. Your main objectives is to exploring the haunted school, which the players must interact with the environment and surroundings, such as picking up the objects, talking to other characters and discovering important documents. What's makes the game so challenging is the game's story has the multiple ending that are based on player's in-game decisions are required for the game's progressions. Despite the game is considered to be harder to beat, but it does have excellent gameplay aspects and interesting player's decisions through story's progression. It has gruesome 16 bit style graphics and catchy in-game soundtrack that made the game so awesome. 

It is definitely the underrated horror game for the PSP (PS Vita via PS Store), but it is must play game for horror fans out there.        

3 - The Evil Within 

I grew up playing the classics Resident Evil games is one of my favourite video game horror franchise when the series used to be cool back in my childhood days then until now of days, I got disappointed with the RE 6 had becoming by far one of the worst game on the series. After my disappointment from RE 6, I've just found out there's another survival horror game called The Evil Within was released in 2014 for PC, PS4, PS3, XBONE and X360. It was made by Tango Gameworks's founder Shinji Mikami, a same creator behind Resident Evil 1 and 4, Dino Crisis, God Hand and Vanquish, who wanted to make his first horror game to be published by Bethesda Softworks. 

The developer team just finally got the game everything right that puts Capcom's RE 6 into shame. The game features intense horror atmosphere and gruesome graphics environments that made the game look scarier and terrifying. It has so many dark illusions, deadly traps, gruesome kills, blood spreading everywhere, some dead corpses and horrifying death scenes that the game has to offer. Although the story and characters are quite mixed bag, but the whole atmosphere of the game is quite impressive for horror genres. The combat gameplay has decent weapons choices and amazing upgradable options for weapons and abilities. It has insane levels with epic boss fights and stealth mode which gives a player's experience a huge challenging for the single player campaign. 

This is the best horror game for modern game consoles and PC's.

2 - Alien Isolation

I've watched two of the classics Sci-Fi Horror movies such as the Ridley Scott's 1979 Alien and James Cameron's 1986 Aliens are the incredible film to watch. It has badass heroine, straightforward storyplot, fantastic special effects, impressive 70's Sci-Fi atmospheres and it has holy shit moments that made the film so memorable. The Alien franchise has the shares with comics, novel and of course the video games. 

I really enjoyed playing Alien Trilogy for SEGA Saturn back in the days then until now, I finally played Alien Isolation for PS4 and it is one of the outstanding Sci-Fi Horror games that made the game so closer to the film series. It was released in 2014 for PC, PS4, PS3, XBONE and X360.

The developer Creative Assembly, was known for real-time strategy series Total War, did a ace job on this quality game showing how much the effort they put up such an amazing storyline, superb made presentations, and great protagonist. The story takes place after the event of the original 1979's film. It's about Amanda Ripley, a daughter of Ellen Ripley, was informed by Christopher Samuels have told her about her mother's whereabouts and she accepted the offer to join the team, so her mission is to investigate the disappearance of her mother. So far the overall presentation is definitely just like the Ridley Scott's 1979 film for the original game's concepts to make it more like the alien film series is quite well fitting. 

The story in the game is well written and it has nice use of the cinematic technique styles to make it look scarier and frightening during the in-game cutscenes. The best part of the game is the jumpscares that are really surprisingly makes you jump off the seat and scream out loud is quite well done for scare factor settings. 

The gameplay plays brilliantly for stealth mechanics, combat weapons, items crafting options, and puzzle solving that makes the game fun to play if you into with higher challenge. It has one of the best graphics for modern game console featuring realistic character's models, well designed building area, and use of special effects are looking so gorgeous in this game and of course the use of sounds has fitting ambient noises, atmospheric sound effects and featuring impressive voice acting. 

This is highly recommend for the fans of the Alien franchise will able to enjoy the game's overall.

1 - Outlast

Outlast is a Survival Horror game for PC, PS4 and XBONE, which both developed and published by Red Barrels. It was originally released in September 4th 2013 for PC, while it was later released year after for PS4 and XBONE.

I was really impressed with this game's overall as by far one of the scariest horror games of all time. It features impressive presentation with great storyplot, some horror elements and overall atmosphere.

The story is about journalist named Miles Upshur who has a mission to investigate in Mental Hospital, which involves deadly patient, religious occult rituals and dead corpses which spreads everywhere in any room.

I love how the game features recording footage and night vision are looked pretty good for horror genre. The horror elements does have really great setting of the environment, such as gore, blood, rituals, video footage and cannibalism that made the game look disturbing as hell. It has tons of the terrifying enemies that gives you a huge jumpscares, which increases the amazing scare factor of the game atmospheres will surprised you a lot. 

The gameplay is more likely focused on stealth mechanics where your character had to hide inside the locker or evade slowly from the enemies that preventing from getting caught. Using the camera is quite useful for taking the evidence and the night vision is also useful for the darker levels. The puzzle aspects are quite good for finding the different rooms and solving the problems, which increases the overall challenge of the game. It has darker tone of the graphics that made the game looked gory and gruesome to see and it has very good lighting effects for camera footage with green and black coloured screen kinda looked cool in this game. 

Overall, this game is definitely a trick or treating for the fans of horror genres. 

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This is Zeeshan Mirza's Blog and I'll see you next time, happy blogging and have a nice spooky halloween everyone, MUHAHAHAHAHAHA!