Orochinagi Fighting Game Community

Community member Kadosho wanted to share these reviews, and why not?  

The Amazing Spiderman / Nextgen – PS3/360/Wii

Webs – Many know the origin of Peter Parker, the guy who gets bit by a spider. Gains powers beyond imagination, but at a cost of those he cares about. In the past, his Uncle Ben told him “With great power comes great responsibility”. Taking place a short while after the new film, Peter and Gwen are within the Oscorp Labs, finding out about current research that could change humanity. Only one problem, the test subjects manage to escape their cells, and take on their masters. It’s up to Peter donning his Spidey gear, to save the day!

Arachnid – In the past entries of the film based games, it was Spider-Man 2 that broke the mold. Giving fans the rush: exploring Manhattan, and fighting crime. The biggest shift in game design was that enemies had a free range to bring terror to the wall-crawler. Within ASM it continues tradition, delivering the non-stop exhilaration, and intense battles that fans crave every time they read a comic. What makes ASM more unique is that its stuck to the past, but infusing some intense ideas. +Another fun plus is the voice acting, whether it’s the webhead or his friends, and enemies. It is so well done, none more can be said.

From stealth, to the new sticky web rush (techniques where Spidey can go from one space to another in a split second reaction, with precise aim). Plus Spidey is able to upgrade his skills, starting out with basic moves, eventually branching out and becoming more powerful. Zipping about the city has become even more frenetic, even gaining altitude can cause the webhead to become an intense creature, and speed will thrust you anywhere you want to go. Another hidden feature is in fact that there is no health bar. Players will know if they are getting whacked a bit too hard, when the screen begins to bleed big red web, once it overcomes the screen it’s a big sign you’re in trouble. In addition, Spidey can now use his webbing to feel vibrations from anything nearby. Using this skills comes in handy especially in the sewers, or in certain areas that have interconnected tunnels.

Pros – An intense experience playing the webhead. All of the speed, powers, and agility fans remember every time they play any game. New suit actually shows plenty of detail within the in-game engine. Plenty of areas to explore, and tons of comic book pages to collect! (In the extras section, there are viewable comic book issues from the past, and some present). Character profiles can be viewed as well, plus if you take snapshots of enemies they become part of your photo album. Web swinging has also changed a bit, it’s faster, tougher, and more aggressive. And the viewpoint from Spidey’s perspective happen in first person, and third. Plus if you missed something in a previous story plot mission, visit Peter’s apartment, check out the board to select any that you’ve played.

Cons- Some usage of the “Web Rush” technique may sometimes freeze up during various moments in-game. It actually gets stuck during use of stealth, or hitting key areas using Spidey’s POV.
It has always been tricky to figure out CQC (close quarters combat) especially in enclosed areas. Some will frustrate you, so just relax and it will work out in the end.  Like most games lately, there are a few moments where you might find a glitch mid-web swinging about the city or during a fight. Just do your best, and if all else fails just quit and try again later. Plus the QTE (quick time events) almost make a return, but in spurts depending on the situation. Sometimes they may appear during boss fights, or key moments during missions. **However they are time sensitive, so it’s a bit of a stress test.

Greeting Cards – Another timeless piece of the Spider-Man series has been its foes. In ASM there is a multitude, some great, and some small. Including some familiar faces, and a few we haven’t seen awhile. The driving force behind ASM is that those escapees’ turned out to be Oscorp’s genetic mutations that have infected the city. With the aid of Dr. Connors, they work together to find a cure to help the people, and put the pieces together of whom may be behind the madness.

Monster – Just to give a perspective on how different ASM is.. I present a list of fun facts!
+ Mixing up gameplay styles like that of the Metroid series. Big bosses, and insane challenges
Did I forget to mention evil robots?
- Sometimes you might find yourself in a tight spot, just keep trying to figure out your terrain and don’t give up! (even if you wind up being clobbered a few times)
+ Upgrades will unlock the further you progress, or obtain enough XP points
(Okay, you might be wondering XP?! Wait this can’t work. Guess what friend, it actually does. The idea was tested in Web of Shadows, and Edge of Time. Turns out XP is gained from taking out enemies, and completing various sub-mission, to finding comic book pages. Once you gain enough points, you can use them to upgrade your special abilities, and leveling up the wallcrawler.)
+When you obtain a camera from a certain reporter, it is then the shutterbug within is born. Like past entries, the camera is your best friend, and can take a simple photo creating huge buzz around the city. Never know what you might encounter. In fact, these missions also give Spidey an edge, helping spread the word around the city of the dangers that normal people don’t see with their own eyes. **With the aftermath of the Lizard’s attack, Spidey was framed as the bad guy. **How so? See the movie to find out.

All Wrapped Up – Two simple words to describe this game: simply awesome. If you’ve played any of the past Spidey inspired titles, this one you cannot miss. What makes this game unique is that past games based on the movies also went by the wayside with the plot. ASM doesn’t break tradition, but moves it forward carrying its own story that feels like it would be from the recent generation in comics right now. Even though some fans might miss Bruce Campbell’s narration, its still worth noting that Spidey actually gets to narrate some of his misadventures this time around. Like always, there is always something new wherever you explore.

Metroid IV – System Handheld – Format Nintendo GBA

New Mission – The fourth chapter in the long running sci-fi epic Metroid series, takes place after Samus Aran barely escaped from her battle with Mother Brain (*In Super Metroid, aka Metroid III),(and the aid of the baby Metroid that took her as its mother in Metroid II). However it is not clear how much time has passed since then. But it is explained through the introduction that she rendezvous with an away team back to SR388 (the same planet that she encountered various types of Metroids’) and now her new enemy, the X parasite.

Morph – Fusion delivers a different type of adventure, giving Samus the ability to adapt, and evolve with familiar power-ups in unique ways. As some fans may not be aware, this armor was given to warriors of long distant stars, as protectors of the galaxy. This Varia suit, is in fact sentient, connected with her ship (redeemed as her hub), however she gains a new ship and an AI as an ally. During the mission, this AI will give players various objectives. (*Oddly enough, this is a first for the series, since we are usually given the ability to openly explore on our own).

SR388 – Fusion originally released in 2002, was formatted to the GBA’s controls. And humbly works well, aside from the dark screen. To be honest, I was one of many fans who picked up this game when it was released. I was able to find a Gameboy Player for my Gamecube, and it gave me more clarity from what I couldn’t see before. Controls are solid, and respond to every button push, plus the D-pad by far will be pushed to its limits here.

Gravity – Music and atmosphere have always been a key part in this series. Fusion delivers in various bgm themes that keep players engaged, and possibly humming from time to time.  Every
area that is explored contains several key themes, from soft to dark, tension, or strain. Within the atmosphere, it always feels like some creature beyond the next room will eventually come at Samus. From various terrains such as: a jungle, arctic tundra, or a junkyard.

Hunter – What made Metroid work for two decades is that it never lets up in its way of storytelling, action, and suspense. Plus the ability to find hidden passageways, or take on a “speed run” testing one’s skills against the clock. It never feels boring, where every play through can somehow be different, depending on where and how we want to take on each challenge that we can’t yet see.

Another key factor within this series is that there are various easter eggs. For those that didn’t buy Metroid Prime when it originally was released, Fusion when connected via the GBA wire to the NGC could share data from a game save.  Being able to unlock the original Metroid game, and playing Prime with the new Fusion suit. **Plus if Fusion and Zero Mission are inter-connected, the art gallery will be displayed.

Zebeth – Words alone cannot describe the type of experience than Fusion delivers. It is truly a vast, exciting, and dark experience that very few platformers still deliver. Even as a handheld game, it is a must own in every gamers library.