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.