Rayman Origins

Logan 9/10
I am a Rayman fan, I like almost everything about Rayman, and I'm happy to say that this was the most fun I had in a Rayman game in years. Rayman Origins took a very different approach in the series, it can be cute, wacky, and most of the time, challenging. The platforming is very smooth and tight, honestly it feels like you can do almost anything, its artistic style stands out more than any game I've played in 2011, and its music is very wacky but very memorable and fun. My only problem with Rayman Origins is that while the levels are challenging, some of them can get a little frustrating, but its multiplayer and tons of collectibles make this game worth buying. A must-get and one of my favorites of the year.

Professor Layton and the Last Specter

Logan 8/10
I have to be honest, I was not expecting a fourth Professor Layton game, but there is. Does it hold up to the other games in the series? Almost, in fact, this was probably my least favorite in the series as it didn't have a story that was as engaging as its past games were, in fact that what the series is built upon. What Professor Layton and the Last Specter does have though is more clever puzzles that just really makes you think, a storyline that's while not as interesting as the others, is still interesting, and nice cinematic scenes and actors. If you're a fan of puzzles in general, you'll really like this game, as Professor Layton keeps showing me why he is one of my favorite video game characters.

Sonic Generations

Landon 6/10

Maybe I'm being a little harsh. But "Sonic Unleashed" had pretty spectacular pure Sonic gameplay and levels that never let up. So I went into "Sonic Generations" fully expecting Sega to have finally gotten it right. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The idea of two Sonics feels more like a gimmick, the levels are just copy and paste from past games making it feel very unoriginal, and voice acting and dialogue is just flat-out awful. However, Generations does retain some of Unleashed's awesome gameplay, and about half of the levels are actually a ton of fun. Some of the best levels are from Sonic games made before "Sonic Adventure 2" (with the exception of Sonic Unleashed). If you enjoy Sonic games as much as the next guy, then you will have fun with this game. But I'm still waiting for the perfect Sonic game to finally come along.

Minecraft

Garrett 9/10
Minecraft. Probably the most unique game I have ever had the pleasure of playing. This game is a 100% sandbox game, where anything goes. I've been playing this game since before it was popular (almost no one had even heard of this game back when I started playing), back when it was in alpha stages, through beta, and now it has been officially released. My first impression of this game is "What the heck is this game with really crappy graphics?" However, after I started to play, I quickly realized that this is one of the most fun, and addicting games I've ever played. The entire point of the game is in it's title. You mine, and you craft. The game begins in a randomly generated world, and you start with literally nothing but your bare hands. You make a shelter from the monsters that come out at night, start to make some tools and supplies, then you create. Even though all the blocks in this game are cubes, the creations you can make are endless. Huge mines, mansions, castles, cathedrals, statues, cities, and almost anything you can think of can be built. Even now, over a year since I started playing, I still play Minecraft all the time, and it is easily one of my all time favorite games. When I first started playing minecraft, I would have rated it a 10, no doubt about it. But now, Notch (the creator of minecraft) has added too many things to the game, so it's not the simple game it used to be, which is what I liked most about it. Now the game technically has an "end", there are enchantments, potions, starvation, etc. I don't really mind these things, but it's really not the same game it used to be. But even with these annoying additions, I still love the game, and play it all the time.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Garrett 9/10
I have to start this review with one word. Wow. This game exceeded any expectations I had. I really enjoyed Morrowind and Oblivion, prequels to this game, but Skyrim blew them out of the park. Skyrim has an amazing story line that will have your adrenaline rushing. The side quests can be just as exciting, and even more fun in my opinion. One of the greatest parts of this game is the flexibility on what you can do with your character. In previous games you would choose a type of character and perks, and you would be locked into that type of character the entire game (i.e. warrior, mage, thief, assassin). But with the new system Skyrim introduced, that's no longer an issue. One problem I had with this game is that it took away some of your ability to interact with the AI's on the game. In past games, you could persuade people, have more conversation choices, and talking to people in general was more interesting. In Skyrim, you can't even talk to guards, even for quests or directions, and most people you talk to that aren't related to a quest just have generic conversations points. Other than this minor issue, the game was incredible, and one of my favorites.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Landon 10/10

What better game to give my first 10 on the site to than "Skyward Sword." Nintendo's swan song on the Nintendo Wii and their latest addition to the huge collection of Zelda games is one of Link's best adventures yet. The graphics are a combination of "Wind Waker" and "Twilight Princess" and brings a unique style. The gameplay really brings out what the Wii is capable of, blending perfect swordplay with unique puzzle solving. The story is epic and emotionally satisfying, finally showing some great chemistry between Link and Zelda. Hyrule itself feels like a complete dungeon, being completely barren of any towns and villages. "Skyward Sword" attempts to fly towards new heights and lands successfully. If there's anything to gripe about at all is that there are a few side quests and they can be a tad tedious at times. But how could I complain when the rest of the game is this good? "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword" is an incredible addition and soars right to the top of my list game of the year. Nintendo, you've wowed us again

Gears of War 3

Logan 7/10
The Gears of War series is famous for reinventing how the shooter genre is supposed to be (more or less), that being said, I enjoyed my time with this game. The gameplay feels more smoother than its past games, the graphics still take the top, and it also has suprisingly very good music. However, where Gears of War 3 fails is that nothing new has changed, quite honestly, there's really no huge difference between it's past games. It tries to have a more sensible storyline and while at times are not bad, I found myself bored and not focusing on character developement, it's gameplay hasn't changed either, aside from a couple of new weapons, and its biggest flaw, the characters are still as annoying as they ever were. But if you're a fan of the Gears of War series, then you will enjoy this game.

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Landon 9/10

I loved the first two Uncharted games, and this third installment is definitely no exception. This game is more of what was already great and then some. You're set in the deserts of the Rub' al Khali as Nathan Drake seeks the fabled Atlantis of the Sands with his good pal Victor Sullivan. The narrative and writing is pretty smart and witty, but it's the relationship between Nate and Sully that makes it so good. Plus, the scenic vistas and animation is incredible, it's filled with sweet stylized action stunts from only the best action movies, and gun-play that's a little frustrating at times, but ultimately satisfies. Even though the game is a tad too short and some of the first few chapters drag a little bit, how could I complain when the rest of the game is this good? A more than welcome addition to the Uncharted franchise. Awesome

Batman: Arkham City

Logan 9/10
Batman Arkham Asylum was the very first superhero game to be game of the year worthy back in 2009. Does the sequel hold a candle to it? Not really. However, it is still an incredible experience, and much like Super Mario Galaxy, the second game wasn't very different but it was a step in the right direction. What Batman: Arkham City differs from the first one is that it has a much darker tone and storyline, the atmosphere matches completely well with its setting, you get to see more villains that you didn't have a chance to see in the first game, and the music is extremely symphonic, just perfect for the Dark Knight. The gameplay is extremely well paced and feels very smooth, and the AI is very smart and gives you a challenging effort. Batman continues to show us that even superheroes have a chance at the game of the year title, a must buy for anyone that has an Xbox 360 or a PlayStation 3.

inFamous 2

Logan 8/10
Even though inFamous 2 didn't really add much from the first game, it's still a better game. This game has some cool elements that has really improved, such as the combat, it was swift, challenging, and all around fun, the story is also very good and engaging, even though it did have a couple of annoying characters, and the world that is offered to you is filled with excitement. The design and concept of the game is well-thought out, and the side quests are opportunities that you don't want to miss out, although they can be a bit repetitive. The AI in inFamous 2 can be really dumb though, as civilians may interfere you in the middle of a fight, and sometimes the enemies can be a bit annoying. But with some really cool power-ups, and a satisfying ending to boot, inFamous 2 is a game that is worth playing through.

Killzone 3

Logan 7/10
Killzone 3 I guess is a stereotypical type of shooter game, it takes place in a war zone, it has some varied gameplay, and you get to explode stuff. That being said, Killzone 3 is a good game, it has fun gameplay (though sometimes confusing), top notch graphics, and awesome sound effects, however it is not without its flaws. First off, character development is poor, they try to get you to make a connection with the characters but ultimately fail, and much like Bulletstorm, the dialogue is riddle with corny lines and a hint of immaturity, thankfully it's not as bad a Bulletstorm. Secondly, The story itself was actually uninteresting and I find myself uninterested, also the music can be good, but it is mainly hit and miss. Overall, it's a good game, no more, no less.

Landon 7/10

"Killzone 3" is the return to the fairly acclaimed Killzone franchise and did a fairly good job of it. The graphics are stunning and the gunplay is loads of fun. The gameplay itself gives you run for your money. You'll be sniping, you'll be using stealth, you'll be using a jet pack, you'll be using tanks and destroying giant warfare. The game, for the most part, doesn't totally bore you. However, it has an abrupt and unsatisfying ending, combat can get repetitive at times, and the story is half-good, half-bad. The evil Empire factor of the narrative is incredibly cool, but regarding morale issues with the game's heroes is very annoying. This is not at all a bad game. In fact, I'd recommend it to almost anybody who is a fan of first-person shooters.

Bulletstorm

Logan 6/10
In some ways, Bulletstorm is an enjoyable game when it comes to gameplay, it has some creative gameplay mechanics that are fun to use, and the graphics, like any other Xbox360 game, is very well done. So what was wrong with Bulletstorm? Everything else. One thing to name, the dialogue is terrible, it is very corny, over-the-top toughness in their voices, and is full of profanity that really doesn't suit the situations and the character's positions. The story is also forgettable and I found myself being lost at time, their are a lot of moments where the game felt rushed, especially at the end, and finally, it has little replay value. I suggest that you rent Bulletstorm before you make the decision on buying it.

Steve 6/10

So I would just like to say I don't know exactly what to think about this game. It has some really good things going for it but it also has some really stupid and annoying things about it. first of all why are you going to spend so much time making the colors and landscapes so good if you're going to make all the characters look like they were drawn by a high school kid with a sick sense of humor? The only 2 things this game really has going for it is some hilarious dialogue and very fun gameplay. But I am going to say that most of the dialogue is horrible, it sounds like all of the dialogue came from a conversation between two very mentally disturbed boys from middle school. The story is very forgettable and the parts where the developers wanted you to be like "omg" and "wtf" made you throw up a little in your mouth because of how bad they were presented. Overall I think that this is something you shouldn't waste your money on but if you're still bent on playing it I would recommend renting it.

Landon 6/10

Going into this game, I had no idea what to think. Epic Games are the creators of the one of the greatest third person shooters of all time (Gears of War). So I expected that same kind of push in "Bulletstorm." Did I get that? Not exactly. That's not to say Bulletstorm isn't fun, because it is. Mindless gunplay with a killer point system is the highlight of the game. However, Epic also has a reputation of flat stories and ugly dialogues. And "Bulletstorm" is as bad as it gets. I found myself incredibly annoyed countless times. It also doesn't help that the graphics / style is unnappealing, the ending is completely unsatisfying, and it constantly tries to throw you the "wow" factor (and fail). This is not a bad game at all. But compared to "Gears of War," it's an incredibly huge step down.

Dragon Age II

Steve 9/10
Let me first start off by saying Wow! This game is surprisingly good especially since I didn't really think there was anything left for the story to go on. The game play is dramatically improved and the feel of the game just feels so much smoother. "Dragon Age 2" also brought in the dialogue wheel from "Mass Effect" with a fully voice acted main character which is always a plus in my book. Some of the things that bothered me were some weird glitches that happened during some of the quests which caused the quest to (once you got to a certain point) not allow you to continue or before you even started not exist which would cause you to have to reload from a previous save point. I also had a problem with the ending it seemed hurried and to just promote the sequel rather than make the game feel complete but still leave you wanting more from the franchise. All in all a great game if you are a fan of "Bioware" you should definitely treat yourself to this wonderful game.

Portal 2

Garrett 10/10

Oh man, this game was amazing! I absolutely loved the first Portal, but this went above and beyond in every aspect. There is no other game like it that I have ever played before. The graphics were great, there was actually a storyline, and it was hilarious! Valve added a ton of new features to make the game and puzzles a lot more interesting and harder. The main problem I had with the first one was the length, because I could finish it in under an hour. Portal 2 fixed this by making the campaign 3 times as long, and adding a co-op mode that is just as long! Another thing this game added was better characters and character development. There are really only 3 characters in the game, and they had real personalities that changed throughout the game, which made the whole experience enjoyable. From the moment I was sucked in I was challenged, and I loved it. This game is one of, if not my favorite game of all time. This game is a must play.

Landon 9/10

Yes, the rumors are true. "Portal 2" is better than the original in virtually every way. The original game had consisted of clever puzzles and witty dialogue, but it was such a small game, making an overall experience of 2-3 hours. What Valve did was not only improved what had already been great, but added more backbone to the storyline, an addictive style of gameplay, and a co-op mode that is an absolute blast to play. If there are any gripes to pick with this game, it's that the loading times can be a tad tedious, and there's a section of the game that dragged, because of puzzles that, while fun, tended to be more of the same. But this is nothing to worry about, for what you get with the overall picture is the ultimate adventure / puzzle game. A must own for almost anyone.

Logan 9/10

After playing through the first Portal, I felt like it wasn't enough, mainly because it was too short, fortunately that's not a problem here. Portal 2 is a major improvement to the first game in every possible way. First there's the storyline, clever, twisted, and hilarious, then there's the puzzles, they are more well-thought out and clever. The co-op also adds a lot to the game too, it also has more clever puzzles and hilarious dialogue. Character development in the game is top notch as the plot is filled with twists in almost every turn, and the visuals is top notch with fun sound effects to listen to. One flaw with this game was while the music was good and it set the mood of the atmospheres, they tend to be forgettable, also the loading times in both single player and co-op can be a bit annoying. Nevertheless, Portal 2 is a complete joy to play and it should not be missed out.

Best of 2010

2010 has come and gone like that. And it turned out to be a pretty good year for gaming. This year has snatched a couple of 10's from a couple of our reviewers here at Casual Review. We decided to close the year by unveiling our Top 5 Games of 2010. Please take note that this list isn't official meaning we could be playing more games released that year, so this list might change. But we digress. Enjoy!

5. Just Cause 2

This game was unlike any other game I have played. Basically, the main character is part of a resistance to a country. He is equipped with some of the coolest gadgets i've seen in a game, an automatic grappel and parachute. You can grab onto a building or pole yards away, and it will pull you there really fast. Then, you can pull out your parachute, and go flying wherever you want. This combined with the fun vehicles, awesome fights, stunts (including fighiting while standing on top of moving cars and helicopters), makes the game a really fun experience.

-Garrett

4. Starcraft II: Wings Of Liberty

This sequel is much better than the original Starcraft. The story line is gripping, and will suck you in until you finish it. Blizzard introduced a ton of new units, which make the gameplay really fun. Both the campaign and multiplayer were very well done, making this game one of the best I've ever played. The entire game was very well done.

-Garrett

3. Halo Reach

I like most people was sick of the Halo series. But then Halo Reach came out and I was surprised at how awesome this game was. This game had everything a fan of the Halo series had and some new things that people like me like in sequels...or in this case a prequel. Amazing graphics, overall great storyline, extremely fun game play and stupendous music are just a few things that this game has to offer.

-Steve

2. Super Mario Galaxy 2

Even thought Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a sequel that really doesn't stray far off from the first one, but is still incredibly fun and is a blast to play through. It has a fresh look to it and the gameplay is still near perfect. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a must-own for the Wii. Nintendo, you have done it again!

-Logan

1. Mass Effect 2

This didn't come as a surprise to any of us. Mass Effect 2 was our game of the year by a mile. And why wouldn't it be? This is everything a sequel to a game should be like. Great graphics, exciting combat, gripping storyline, awesome characters, incredibly well-written script; the list goes on! The RPG genius' at Bioware have done it again. This is an experience not to be missed, even if you're not a fan of RPG's. Ladies and gentlemen: The Game of the Year.

-Landon

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Steve 6/10

So first off I would just like to say I don't see the hype. It was a fun game but not at all what I thought it was going to be. I didn't really like the way the story was told. It could have been a cool idea but the way it was presented had a lackluster quality about it. They did add some surprises that were really fun, and they did try to at least stray a little bit from the original formula. The multi-player is, as always the case with the Call of Duty Franchise, very enjoyable. The only thing I didn't like about it is some of the weapons you can use in multi-player don't even make an appearance in the campaign. All in all it's an okay game, but I don't think it has very much replay value. If you're looking for just a fun mind numbing game this is definitely one you should pick up, other than that I wouldn't give it a third thought, a second thought maybe but not a third one.

Landon 6/10

I was quite disappointed. "Call of Duty: Black Ops" is one of the most critically acclaimed games this year. But how could it be more acclaimed than such games like "Halo: Reach" or even "GoldenEye." Let's start with the pros. It still maintained great graphics, some pretty cool moments, and a multiplayer that's still a ton of fun. But then it has a story that feels like it wasn't very well thought out and characters that are tasteless and boring. And it doesn't help that the A.I. in the campaign is incredibly stupid. I wouldn't say this is a bad game at all, but I am disappointed in Infinity Ward. Come on guys. You can do better than that.

GoldenEye 007

Landon 8/10

This remake of the classic N64 first-person shooter doesn't even feel like a remake. Unlike most games of the series, this one ignores the sexy cars and super models and focuses on pure action. And that's awesome. GoldenEye brings incredibly fun gunplay, epic fist fights, cool sneaking missions; the list keeps going! Although aiming can be a little tedious sometimes, and one or two objectives are a little frustrating, it's still a great addition to the library of Wii games. This is definitely one worth buying, especially if you loved the original like I did.

Kirby's Epic Yarn

Landon 8/10

At first, "Kirby's Epic Yarn" is so cute, it's honestly a little intimidating. But it's just something you have to get used to. When you do get used to it though, it becomes a ton of fun. Epic Yarn brings a new world called Patch Land which has been torn apart, and you have to travel with Prince Fluff to stitch it back together. This game brings awesome, creative levels, a new way of playing as Kirby, and graphics that are so good, they can compete for the best of the year. Don't let the cuteness get in your way of playing what is a truly great game. It's a ton of fun.

Logan 8/10

Like what Landon said, it takes a while before you get used to playing this game, but once your past that, you'll experience some gaming goodness. Kirby's Epic Yarn is a pretty daring game to Nintendo because Kirby had never looked so good before...or cute. This game has very cool gameplay with great music that I like to hum to sometimes, but the story seems too bizarre for my taste. Kirby's Epic Yarn has amazing visuals that are probably the best of the year and I highly recommend you get this game despite its adorableness.

Rock Band 3

Landon 7/10

Harmonix really wanted to up the anty with the next Rock Band game. Keyboard, pro guitar, pro drums, karaoke mode; they pulled out their biggest guns to make the experience more realistic. And they actually do a very impressive job with it. The keyboard is complex, but ultimately fun. If there is any problem to be had with any of the Rock Band games, it's always the music taste of the player. Unfortunately for me, I wasn't quite so impressed with the song choices. While classics such as "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Fly Like an Eagle," and "Roundabout" made their appearances, I just wasn't satisfied with the overall selection. Still though, if you happen to like most of the songs put into this game, you should have no problem having a great time with it.

Logan 8/10

Rock Band 3 isn't really my kind of idea for "the perfect music game," but Harmonix really tried to make it be. What I like about this game, unlike the Guitar Hero series nowadays, is that they strive to be different. Rock Band 3 now has a keyboard that adds to the multiplayer, and pro mode that teaches the players how to play all the songs on real instruments (not all downloadable songs though). Although that's about all that Rock Band 3 differs from all the other games in the series, it is now the ultimate party game on the block.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep

Logan 7/10

Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is an interesting game for me to review, that's because, yet again, it's a side game to the Kingdom Hearts series. While it didn't get my attention that much, I admire that the gameplay is different from the other games. You play as three characters. They are companions who go on seperate journeys to new Disney worlds to defeat the evil that has spread to other worlds. It's the best side Kingdom Hearts game, but nowhere near as good as the main ones. Though I did beat the game, the only thoughts that came to my mind were: "Give me Kingdom Hearts III!"