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!

   

Nintendo Switch First Look Reaction & Impressions

On this day, I've just got found out from gaming websites made the news about Nintendo have made the first look trailer of the NX console which is now called Nintendo Switch is one of their first console hybrid that been first shown on this trailer.  

After I've watched the whole trailer from YouTube, I was quite impressed to see how Nintendo brings a such of creative idea on this game console itself giving new a variations of the controller and the game system that are actually designed for playing in public worldwide.        

What I've learned about this first look trailer is the opening part where it shows the guy sits on his sofa and playing the new Legend of Zelda game on the new console. What really surprised me about the trailer is the design of the logo which resembles to the actual controller and the title name of the console is actually made perfect sense for the new console because of the attachable controller grip and the hardware tablet are designed for playing on two different modes. To play on the console mode, the tablet device can be placed in the console unit, which allows the console to charging the tablet's battery life and connecting to the HDTV at the both same time in order to play games on the HDTV screen. The controller can be able to attach on the squared-shaped controller grip, so you can able to enjoy the games with the attachable controller grip, but you can also play with the pro controller (which is similar to X360 controller style) as well if you do not prefer to play with the attachable controller, but it is also worked on the handheld mode too. You can also attach the attachable controller on the side of the tablet if you want to play the games on the handheld mode, which can be played in the public worldwide such as transport, airport, park, schools. clubs, and houses, which I find the idea quite pretty awesome. The hardware tablet also has stand on the back of the tablet system, which makes the tablet system easier to stand still and you can also detach the controller from the tablet and still able to play with the unattachable controller without holding the tablet system, if you don't like holding the system for long, while playing the game. You can play with your friends on both console mode and handheld mode for the multiplayer battle. 

This would benefit to all gamers because it gives them different ways to play the game with different variations of attachable controllers, playing on HDTV or tablet system, and getting friends and family together to play in public or homes is the significant things that Nintendo have ever created. 

The design of the game console look actually not that bad because it gives more solid look of the console unit and the tablet is more sleeker looking device with nice looking glossy screen. It does have headphone jack, the top vent, back-stand, attachable slot on the sides and of course the cartridge slot which the actual cartridge tends to be little bit smaller than the 3DS cartridge, which is sounds pretty okay to me because I like the smaller sized cartridge as a design, but my concern is the limited game size which I want to know how the developers could able to fit the oversized game into the smaller cartridge, but we never know if it's going to be turned out good or not in next year release. 

The controller on both attachable and pro version has nice button layouts and two thumbstick, but I find the d-pad button on the attachable controller doesn't look good as the newer pro controller because it would be difficult to play for different types of game genres compared with the d-pad on pro controller is seems to be lot easier to play. The design of the newer pro controller is looking spectacular and quite strightforward than the Wii U pro controller because of the right thumbstick is finally placed under the 4- face buttons and the grips are slightly looked easier to hold. The design of the attachable controller looked pretty nice when it's attached on tablet, which looked seems to be bit better than the actual Wii U's controller, while with the square-shaped controller grip seems to be not that bad with the controller design choices.

Overall, looks like Nintendo did the creative job on the brand new game console. I loved the idea of changing the controller methods, playing on HDTV or tablet, and playing with somebody in public seems to be sounds pretty amazing for the next Nintendo's console and of course they did a decent job on both consoles and controller for the design choices.    

I'm pretty sure Nintendo will able to bring more information about the game console's hardware specs and the launch games for the next year.

Here is the footage of the first look trailers down below:

                             

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Uncharted 4: A Thief's End PS4 Review

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is a action-adventure TPS game exclusivity for PS4, which developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It is a sequel to 2011's game called Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception and last game in the series. 

So far, I really enjoyed playing all of the previous Uncharted games because of the amazing action sequences, stylish combat gameplay, realistic looking graphics, fantastic storylines and memorable characters that made the series one of the best video game franchises on Sony's console platform, so I decided to give a shot with the Uncharted 4 for the PS4 as definitely one of my most wanted exclusives games that I wanted to play on my PS4. After I've beating the game, I'm very surprised with the game's overall showing all of the amazing stuff that the game has to offer. It has beautiful cinematic scenes, fluid animation, incredible storyplot, epic action sequences, larger level environment and of course the stunning gameplay mechanics makes the Uncharted 4 a full game of the year 2016 in my opinion.

The fan of the series was happy to see Naughty Dog's triumph that made the last game of the series so great for the PS4 system. 

So without further do, let's start reviewing the game. 

Presentation

The game takes place after the event of Uncharted 3, a retired explorer named Nathan Drake lived happily with his wife Elena Fisher, though he misses his excitement in old days. He is visited by his older brother Samuel Drake suggested him to return the adventuring business. After Nathan have learned the Samuel's 15 years backstory, he finally agrees to help Sam to start the adventuring to find Avery's treasure whereabouts. 

The story in the game is absolutely sounds terrific in the game. It's feels narrative, it has awesome backstory of the character's past and the plot is much easier to follow that made the story sounds pretty good in the game. 

The cinematic cutscenes feels more realistic with impressive animation design which feels like watching awesome motion capture movies and the action sequences are pretty well done because of the up close view, the explosions effects, the stunt work and it has lots of stylish action packed going on in the game with mind blowing holyshit moments that makes the presentation looked fantastic in the whole game. 

The characters in the game are still memorable as we all know Nathan Drake is one of the best video game protagonist in gaming and it has really cool sidekicks characters from the previous game like Victor and Elena are also in the game as well, while it has the new character called Sam is pretty decent character, which is great for teamwork and combat sequences. 

There's one decent villain like Rafe are also okay, but not as quite entertaining as the other villains from the previous game, but it does have some intense moment in the game. Nadine is somewhat pretty look badass, but it is really hard to classify her as the enemy, but she is really tough hand to hand fighter.

Overall, this game has excellent story, awesome characters, incredible cutscenes, and fantastic sequences.

Gameplay

This game has single player campaign, online multiplayer, chapter select, and encounter select.

You take the role of Nathan Drake, who has ability to jump on different platforms, climbing on objects like wall and ledges, and swimming under the water. Controlling the character is pretty straightforward for the basic movement like running, jumping, climbing and swimming are feels very responsive to control with no issues at all and the camera system moves perfectly right with steady sensitivity controls which doesn't cause camera to mess around makes it more playable to look around the whole levels. You can use rope to swing around, but also you can climb the ropes to adjust the height of the rope by climbing up or down. The combat gameplay played absolutely brilliant in the game. It has fluid aiming controls makes it easier to aim at the enemy even with the lock-on system. The weapons has a nice range of shooting distance such as assaults rifles and sniper rifles are just perfect for long range distance, while shotguns, grenade launcher, RPG, and power pistols are great for heavy damage to the enemies. The hit detection and collisions are working really well for all the types of weapons. While aiming at the enemy, you can also change weapons by using quick weapon change gives you a quickest and easiest way to change 2 different weapons. The cover mechanics are very useful to protect yourself from getting damaged by enemy's hit projectiles. The stealth combat are also pretty amazing for stealth missions. You can sneak behind and put them to sleep as long as the enemy didn't caught you in the stealth mode, but you can hide behind the objects or hide underneath the grass or water will help keep the enemy's icon status down.

I really enjoyed driving the vehicles around in the level which is good for the exploration. The driving gameplay handles really good with turning control and the acceleration levels just played really great.

While the game has larger levels, I loved to explore around the levels to find the cool stuff like collecting treasures, reading notes to hear interesting details of Avery's history, and examine the objects, which sounds pretty awesome to discover the new things in the game.

The game does have really good puzzle solving and searching a new clues which gives a player higher experience to enjoy the bigger challenge. However, the level design of the game can be bit too complex when finding the right places in the level, but the hints icon will help you find the right place to discover.

The online multiplayer is also enjoyable with great competitive modes, but i'm pretty sure the game developers team will soon bring the brand new modes in later future. 

Overall, it has outstanding combat gameplay, impressive larger levels, fantastic puzzle solving, and enjoyable online battles.  

Graphics

Uncharted 4 has the one of the best looking graphics for the PS4 system. It has smooth visuals and posh looking lighting effects on the skies and sunlight which making the scenery look magnificent in level design. The level environment is much larger than the previous games because it has really nice physics on the grass and trees animation making it look gorgeously realistic and impressive building areas with great draw distance. The explosion effects and particles are looking stunning on action sequences with fantastic use of special effects and colours. The character's models are looking friggin amazing with nice facial features and right shaped body to make the character look like a real people in the game. This really shows the PS4's powerhouse to proof that with the use of new and improved graphics is definitely pushes the PS4's hardware limits. 

Overall, it has smooth visuals, larger level environment, stunning special effects, great use of colours, and realistic character's models makes it the best graphics of gaming history.

Music and Sounds

The soundtrack is quite sounds stunning for game presentation and in-game sequences. It was composed by Henry Jackman, who is very known for composing great film scores, did a fabulous job with the soundtrack to make it sounds more darker than the previous game. The sound effects are pretty well done with background sounds, atmospheric sound effects and the use of sound work are professionally sounds amazing in the game. 

The voice actors did a excellent job on the characters, especially with Nolan North and Troy Baker has the fantastic voice performance that made the characters sounds really badass in the game's presentation. 

Overall, it has superb soundtrack, fabulous sound effects and fantastic voice cast for characters. 

Special Features

The game has unlockable visual filters and gameplay modes where you can change graphics filters and using cheat modes in the game. You can checkout all your journals and treasures that you have collected them from certain chapters and you can also unlock character's costumes and gallery in bonus options. 

Advantages

Incredible story presentation

Outstanding combat gameplay

Impressive larger levels

Enjoyable online battles

Stunning graphics

Fantastic music and sounds

Awesome special features

Disadvantages

Complex level design

Less dialogue tree

Final Verdict

Presentation 9.8/10 -  Excellent story, awesome characters, incredible cutscenes, and fantastic sequences.

Gameplay 9.5/10 - Outstanding combat gameplay, impressive larger levels, fantastic puzzle solving, and enjoyable online battles.

Graphics 10/10 - Smooth visuals, larger level environment, stunning special effects, great use of colours, and realistic character's models.

Music and Sounds 10/10 -  Superb soundtrack, fabulous sound effects and fantastic voice cast for characters.

Special Features 9.5/10 - Unlockable stuff and collection stuff. 

Overall 9.7/10 - Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is one of the best PS4 game of 2016. Having a excellent presentation will make the players enjoying the narrative story, memorable characters, epic action sequences, and quality cutscenes. The combat gameplay will able to satisfy the players to complete the amazing single player campaign and taking challenge against the players through online battle is fun too, and the graphics is definitely looking the best of PS4's powerhouse. There's nothing to beat the PS3 classic Uncharted 2: Among thieves because it is one of the series's masterpiece, but Uncharted 4 deserves much credit for the PS4 exclusivity. I highly recommended to all of the PS4 owners out there should able to try out this game is definitely worth for buying it.  

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Infamous: Second Son PS4 Review

Infamous: Second Son is a Open World Action-Adventure game for PS4, developed by Sucker Punch and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is a sequel to Infamous 2 for PS3.

Last year, I've reviewed Infamous: First Light for PS4, which is quite decent game to pick up, so if you haven't seen my last year review then here is my link down below to check it out before you start reading this review.

Infamous: First Light PS4 Review: https://zeeshanmirzasblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/infamous-first-light-ps4-review.html 

My thoughts about this game is the game overall seems to be slightly much better than the Infamous: First Light. It offers wider open-world to explore, it has impressive side-missions to achieve the player's experience, more dynamic combat gameplay with excellent upgrades, great graphics design and it has longer single player campaign with bigger challenge than ever, but I find the story presentation isn't sound great as the ones on the First Light and previous Infamous games. It does have nicely made cutscenes, but I think the story dialogue needs to be done something more better than this. I say the game is definitely worth for PS4 owners who got into with Open-World Action-Adventure game like this, so it is a another great game in the series. 

Presentation

This game takes place 7 years after the event of Infamous 2. It started with Delsin Rowe, a graffiti artist and the local delinquent of the Akomish reservation, having fun vandalising billboard just right before he got told off by his brother Reggie, a local sheriff, starts arguing him for vandalism then they sees truck run over and crashed. Delsin started to get escaped prisoner named hank, who is a conduit, out of the wreckage just before Delsin accidentally being affected by hank's special powers which allowing him to use his smoke power. After he's been interrogated by D.U.P Director named Brook Augustine, he starts his quest to save the suspected conduits from D.U.P.

The story of the game sounds rather mediocre compared with the First Light and the previous game in the series. The half of the plot of the game does have some interesting backstory on the characters like Fetch, Hank and Eugene are quite sounds cool, while the other half of the plot seems to be bit backwards especially with the morality system is quite dated, but I like the looks of the cinematic cutscenes with nicely made motion capture quality. I'm finding the main protagonist acted quite too cocky because he has shitty personality and quite immature in the game, but I really liked his use of the special powers. I finding Fetch, Hank and Eugene are more interesting characters, but it wasn't cool as the Cole Macgrath from the previous game, which is much badass video game character in the series.

Overall, the story presentation is far mixed bag with dated morality system and mediocre plot, but it does have some interesting character's backstory and nice motion captured quality cutscenes. The main protagonist is quite acted too cocky, but rest of the 3 supportive characters are actually decent in the game.   

Gameplay

This game has main missions, side missions and wider open-world levels.

Your character has ability to use 4 different special powers such as smoke, neon, video and concretes. Smoke power are quite useful for balanced combat gameplay with simple and heavy attacks such as smoke projectiles, smoke missiles and melee attack to damage enemies, and using smoke stun to stun the enemies and you can also perform forward dash moves towards objects such as fan to make you jump up and the vents to go towards the buildings. Neon power can work with shooting powerful laser attack which can give heavier damage to the enemies and you can also run on the walls and buildings by using neon sprint. Video power are used with rapid fire attacks which are quite great for longer range distance and your character can able to fly around the area which is more easier than using the neon sprint and you can also turn invisibly to prevent enemies from seeing you nearby. Concrete power are used for even more powerful attacks such as ground punch and you can also sprint faster and fly higher with your concrete power which is working well in the game. You can perform karma bomb which allowing player to use powerful finishing moves and you can also finish off your enemy by subdue them or just kill them with simple melee attack. You can upgrade your character's abilities by collecting shards which can be shown on the map, but you also need to complete main missions to level up your karma in order to use upgrades which makes your character becoming even stronger such as extending your attacks, abilities and learning new moves.

I'm finding the gameplay is played excellent with responsive controls and impressive combat style which makes the game more playable and fun to execute. The open-world levels are much larger than the First Light which has very good main missions to play, really fun side missions to enjoy, it's great to explore the whole levels which giving a player's a higher challenge to complete their tasks such as rescuing hostages, stop the D.U.P attacks, destroying hidden cams, taking down agents, and starts graffiti on the wall. 

Overall, it has well balanced combat gameplay, excellent controls and great missions.

Graphics  

The graphics are still looking spectacular with visual effects, character's design, realistic animation, and level design is to keep the game look fresh and polished for PS4 hardware systems. The frame rate runs perfectly with 30fps for the game's performances without any slow-downs. The developer teams did really show off with PS4 hardware performances to see how amazing the game looks on eighth generation era running on 1080p HD.

Overall, it has fantastic visual effects, detailed character's design, realistic animation, and awesome level design.

Music and Sounds

The soundtrack in the whole game are actually sounds amazing that fits the game's presentation and I also loved the ending song by Hard Rock band "Dead Sara" did a great job by covering one of the original classic "Nirvana" songs called "Heart Shaped Box." 

The sound effects has atmospheric effects, great background sounds and the whole soundwork are professionally well done in the game. The voice actors did a good job on the characters because it fits right for the cast of the characters. 

Overall, amazing soundtrack, superb sound effects and decent voice cast.

Special Features

The game has side-missions, DLC content and trophy achievements.

Advantages

Excellent combat gameplay

Main protagonist's superpower

Larger open-world levels

Great single-player missions

Awesome soundtrack

Decent voice cast

Fantastic graphics

Disadvantages

Mediocre story

Cocky main protagonist's personality  

Final Verdict

Presentation 5/10 - It needs to improve on main protagonist's personality and story development.

Gameplay 8/10 - Well balanced combat gameplay, excellent controls and great missions.

Graphics 8.5/10 -  Fantastic visual effects, detailed character's design, realistic animation, and awesome level design.

Music and Sound 8.5/10 - Amazing soundtrack, superb sound effects and decent voice cast.

Special Features 7/10 - Side-missions, DLC content and trophy achievements.

Overall 7.9/10 - I say I liked this game over the First Light is because it has longer single-player campaign missions, the combat gameplay is worth playable with more challenging tasks, it has wider open-world level to explore and the graphics is looking magnificent on PS4 system. I think they need to improve on the whole presentation to make the story and characters look more interesting. Bottom line, Infamous: Second Son is definitely a great PS4 exclusives, so if you're the fan of the series or the PS4 owners out there then go pick this game up.   

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5 Reasons why Nintendo 64 is Awesome

Nintendo 64 is one of the first 64-bit game console in fifth generation era. It was released on June 23th 1996 in Japan, while it was later released on September 29th 1996 in US and March 1st 1997. It is a main rivalry to their console competitors such as Sony Playstation and SEGA Saturn which was released a year before the N64 release. Nintendo 64 was well known for having the most innovative video game controller, advanced graphics technology, excellent local multiplayer games and most acclaimed games titles like Super Mario 64, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time and Goldeneye 007 that defines the N64 system. It is one of the second best-selling consoles in fifth generation era behind Sony Playstation is still on the top selling consoles.

Okay then, I've decided to make a 5 things that why I've liked the console so much, so here is my 5 reasons why Nintendo 64 is awesome.



1 - Games library

Nintendo 64 has the best video game titles out there, so we all know that the developers team could able to make really great N64 games that are well known for having variety of gameplay, 3D graphics and some multiplayer modes that made N64 a memorable game consoles in 90's gaming era. The games such as Super Smash Bros, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, Banjo Kazooie, Mario Kart 64, Perfect Dark, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Paper Mario, Blast Corps, F-Zero X, WCW vs NWO Revenge, and three of the most acclaimed N64 titles like Super Mario 64 as one of the best 3D platform game of all time, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time as one of the most acclaimed 3D adventure games ever made and Goldeneye 007 as one of the most influential FPS games that defines the video game genres.


2 - Local 4-Player mode

  

We all know that Nintendo 64 is one of the first game system that has 4 controller ports on front of the console. It has the best local multiplayer games that we all enjoy playing the games with friends and family in the same room. back in the mid 90's, we have no online console gaming, but instead you have to get your friends to visit your home and play some of the amazing local 4-players games like Super Smash Bros is one of the Nintendo's fighting game debut that has wacky 4-player battles with amazing matches and playable roster. Goldeneye 007 and Perfect Dark has a addicting 4-player split-screen mode, Mario Party has impressive mini-games and Mario Kart 64 has awesome race mode and battle mode.  

The later game consoles like SEGA Dreamcast and Microsoft Original Xbox are also featured with 4 controller ports which they took the ideas from Nintendo, but Nintendo also did the same with their N64's successor Nintendo Gamecube with 4 controller ports is just about getting your friends and family playing together in the same room which makes the local multiplayer more enjoyable and fun.


3 - N64 Controller

N64 controller is one of the first and most innovative video game controller that featured analog stick are designed for most of the 3D platform games like Super Mario 64, Banjo Kazooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day which give's a players more freedom to explore 3D landscape and using the A and B buttons are also used for jumping and attacking. While N64 controller still retains the L and R shoulder buttons and D-Pad for some of the 2D platform games and fighting games genres, Z trigger are also introduced which also used for most of the FPS games like Goldeneye 007, Perfect Dark, and Turok: Dinosaur Hunter which feels like you're shooting with real gun's trigger. The C-Buttons are quite useful for games like Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time that features camera orient and secondary items.

It works really well using with N64 controller are much easier to control the character's movements and camera controls. It has cool looking design of the controller because it looks like the M shaped which I believe the initials of the letter M does also represents one of the most beloved Nintendo's mascots Mario. This controller has really nice grips because it's feels comfortable to hold while playing various of N64 games.  

The concepts of the analog stick can also influence Sony's Dualshock controller for Playstation system, as well as SEGA's 3D control pad for the Saturn system.



4 - N64 Accessories

Nintendo 64 has very handful game accessories for most of the N64 games. The expansion pak is quite common for some of the N64 games. It runs 8 MB RAM which allowing to take advantage of N64 system to run on higher resolution and having better visual graphics for some of the N64 games like Excitebike 64, Duke Nukem: Zero Hour, Resident Evil 2, Turok 2 and Star Wars: Rogue Squadron. It is also required to run a two N64 games software like Donkey Kong 64 and Legend of Zelda: Majora Mask, while Perfect Dark are also required for single player campaign.
The controller pak are used for saving game data for some of the N64 games and the rumble pak provides vibration feedback which can be used for games like Starfox 64.  



5 - N64 Kid

Yep, awesome 90's kids are always the best for 90's gaming. Classic gaming FTW (For The Win).

"NINTENDO SIXTY-FOURRRRR!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!" - N64 Kid

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