Andrew Passafiume

Dragon Ball Raging Blast

January 17, 2010

Reviews / Xbox 360 / by Andrew Passafiume /

The Dragon Ball series just is not the same as it used to be, mainly because it has been officially over for a few years now. And yet publishers still continue to push out games based on the once incredibly popular anime every so often. Here’s another example of one that, like Burst Limit before it, tries to recapture the fighting genre. And once again, we are left with a game that feels like it should have been released three or four years ago.

Presentation wise, this game looks incredible. The developers are continuing to go for a cel-shaded look, and it only further impresses me each time I see this. Playing this game in HD is quite an experience, and it definitely seems like a game that will age incredibly well, graphically. Sound wise, the voice actors you know from the anime are all here, as campy and corny as ever. But if you’re already a fan, you won’t mind at all. The music on the other hand can get very old, very fast.

The game follows the story of the Dragon Ball Z anime, and unless you are already a fan of the series (which at this point it is assumed you are), then you’re going to be incredibly confused. Of course, before you can even dive into the story, it is recommended you do training. It took me at least a good hour before I could get the hang of the controls. Even playing the training mode a couple of times, I just had a hard time getting the hang of everything.

Another major problem is the camera, which constantly tries to get in your way during battles. Just when you think you’re about to win, the camera comes along to screw all of that up. You’ll be getting pummeled by the cheap A.I. as you try to find out where the hell you actually are. And by the time the camera is in a better position, you pretty much already lost. This is my experience with a lot of the battles in this game, and it never seems to get any better the more you play.

And finally, there just is not a whole lot of value here in this game. Once you get through the single player stuff, there is a nice online component, but you’ll just get bored of the game fast. And with its problems, including the always annoying camera, you won’t find yourself coming back to this one too much. Although the roster is full of 40+ characters, there isn’t much reason to keep coming back to this one.

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast feels like a regression of the series, and it seems to only continue regressing as time goes on. Developers just keep pumping these games out, despite how bland they seem at this point. There is not anything here that has not been done, and much better, even in the past console generation. Even if you’re a hardcore Dragon Ball Z fan, this game is only worth a rental at best.

Pros: Amazing cel-shaded graphics; solid controls (once you get used to them)

Cons: Controls take a while to get the hang of; terrible camera; music gets old fast; not much content to keep you busy

Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth

January 13, 2010

Reviews / Wii / by Andrew Passafiume /

Castlevania is one of Konami’s many long running and beloved series, but the more recent releases have changed the formula completely. With the success of Symphony of the Night, the series had changed from the old school formula everyone grew up with to a “Metroid style” that has since taken over. Although there is still an occasional old school Castlevania release, they usually lead to disappointment. And this is where Adventure ReBirth comes in.

Adventure ReBirth is a “remake” of the original Castlevania Adventure on the Game Boy, although I use the term loosely, as the game has as much in common with that game as it does the Metroid style games we are now accustomed to. It is an old school Castlevania game, but does not resemble the original Adventure title at all. Instead, consider this a brand new Castlevania adventure that feels a lot like Super Castlevania IV or Rondo of Blood on the SNES.

The game’s look is very reminiscent of the classic Castlevania games, giving off an old school vibe. And although there is “voice acting” (Dracula, among a couple of other bosses, speak during their battles), the game plays just like it would on the SNES. The controls are incredibly responsive and the level design is excellent as well.

There are several different control options and play styles as well. You can use the Wii remote NES style, the Remote and Nunchuck, the Classic Controller, or even the GameCube controller. And with the amount of customizing you can do to the way the game controls, there is a control style for everybody.

You also get a nice selection of weapons, aside from the standard whip, which include a dagger you throw at enemies, a cross that acts as a boomerang, and holy water, effective at taking out multiple enemies on the ground at once. These helpful weapons are scattered throughout the game in candles and other destructible objects. If you have ever played a Castlevania before, this should not be new to you.

The only major complaint is the game’s length. Like the previous ReBirth titles, this game can be finished in about an hour on normal difficulty. The time you play it will definitely increase on hard, but don’t expect more than 2-3 hours at the most from that. And sadly, aside from the standard secret passageways, there isn’t much reason to replay this title once you finish it.

$10 is a good price for Castlevania ReBirth, although some may be disappointed by the length of the game. I would love to see a more lengthy adventure done in a similar style, but until then, this is your best bet for a solid old school Castlevania game.

ESRB: Rated T for teen; rated for animated blood and fantasy violence

Pros: Looks and plays just like a classic Castlevania game; solid controls; excellent presentation

Cons: Incredibly short game; next to no replayability

SB09: Andrew Passafiume’s picks

December 17, 2009

News / by Andrew Passafiume /

One of Snackbar Games’ traditions every year is to have each staffer pick their top ten games of the year. We’re so all over the map in our tastes that our lists are never similar. Today, Andrew Passafiume has a lot of games about punching, shooting and killing things. Then he has The Beatles.

10) MadWorld

MadWorld is a game I had been anticipating for quite some time, and it delivered on its promise of over the top action and extremely fun gameplay. It has a surprisingly strong story, and very nice variety of bosses and challenges. Although the game may seem easy at first, the challenge picks up quickly. This is a game I believe every Wii owner must have in their collection.

9) Left 4 Dead 2

The original Left 4 Dead is an amazing game in the fact that it is probably one of the shortest games around, but it is also one of the most replayable. The sequel brings us a brand new setting, new characters, and plenty of other new toys to dispatch zombies with. It simply is bigger and better than the original in just about every way. READ MORE

The Beatles Rock Band: Rubber Soul DLC impressions

December 16, 2009

News / by Andrew Passafiume /

The third and final DLC album for The Beatles: Rock Band was released this week, one that is considered one of The Beatles’ best albums by many. Rubber Soul contains the rest of the eleven tracks not already on the disc, and although I’ve said this before, it may be the best DLC for the game yet. READ MORE

Wallace & Gromit

December 15, 2009

Reviews / Xbox 360 / by Andrew Passafiume /

Although we have seen Wallace & Gromit in some games before, Telltale goes for something a bit different (and perhaps more familiar) with their Grand Adventures. Although the first episode, Fright of the Bumblebees, released earlier in the year on Xbox Live Arcade, the last three episodes in the adventures were only just recently released. And although these ports of the PC adventure titles are far from perfect, they have enough to make them well worth recommending.

The art style resembles that of the Wallace & Gromit shorts (and feature films), and you can even seen fingerprints on the characters, representing the “clay animation” in games at its best. The gameplay style is very familiar, for those who have played previous Telltale adventures such as the Sam & Max episodes, or even the recently-released Tales of Monkey Island games. And this slow paced, yet very humor-based style of gameplay is best suited to the world of Wallace & Gromit.

The story of all three of these episodes is not that connected, aside from a few references here and there. The third episode, Muzzled!, has an ending that is connecting with part of the fourth, The Bogey Man, but you do not need to play them in any particular order. Each episode follows Wallace & Gromit as they try to solve what may seem like an ordinary problem.

The second episode, The Last Resort, has Wallace and Gromit trying to create a little resort in their own basement after bad weather cancels their own resort plans. The overall story is a bit weak, as there seems to be no clear focus for the plot. From each chapter in the adventure, the story jumps around quite frequently, when it seems like it would stay on one specific path. However, it is quite hilarious at times, and the puzzles themselves are well designed.

The third episode, Muzzled!, is easily the weakest of the bunch. Wallace and Gromit meet a strange man, Monty Muzzle, who comes to town to help raise money to save the now destroyed dog shelter. The majority of the adventure has you playing as Gromit as you try and prove that Monty is not all he seems to be. This episode has some very intriguing puzzles and a more straightforward story, but seems to lack the humor that the previous episode had.

And then there is the best (and final) episode, The Bogey Man, which has Wallace trying to find the missing deed to an old golf club, Prickly Thicket. This is the best of the four simply because it has some of the best laughs, the cleverest puzzles, and the best interactions between all of the characters. Although the story is not as focused as in Muzzled!, it definitely seems to never go too far from where you would expect.

The main problem with the Xbox Live Arcade versions of these episodes is that there is constant slowdown, graphical hiccups, and even some freezes that I’ve experienced with all three episodes. They are not noticeable in the PC versions, but it becomes clear that the XBLA version are probably not the ones to get if you have a good enough gaming PC.

Overall, these three episodes are consistently funny (for the most part), have plenty of genius puzzles and re-introduce these amazing characters to old and new audiences alike. Even if you are not familiar with Wallace & Gromit, these adventures might make new fans out of you.

ESRB: Rated E for everyone; these games are pretty much for all ages

Pros: Gameplay is simple enough for all ages; excellent puzzles; generally very funny

Cons: Constant game freezes and glitches; the second episode has a less focused story; the third episode does not have the same consistent level of humor as the other two

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