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We live in an increasingly busy world. We all want the newest game with the best visuals money can buy. Ironic, isn't it, that remakes, sequels and reboots are still the norm these days.
It's not necessarily a bad thing. Many forms of entertainment that've been enjoyed by thousands or even millions of people worldwide deserve to be revisited. Hopefully, reviving these incredible moments in time will remind us why these rock bands and video games from the past shape what's popular today.
In this week's Reviews Spotlight, we'll look at some homages to popular music and past video games, a couple of sequels, a game that blends the fighting and action-RPG genres, and more fun making nouns appear out of thin air on your screen!
The Beatles: Rock Band -- Crush! Frag! Review!
By Rob Thomas
The Beatles: Rock Band has been getting nothing but glowing reviews by even the most skeptic Beatlemaniacs. Rob says that even though "it feels a bit too short" (something that will be rectified as new albums come out in coming months), Harmonix has done the nigh-impossible. Have they captured the essence of the Fab Four? According to Rob, "The answer is yes, they did; masterfully so, I might add."
The Beatles: Rock Band Review
By Eric Majkut
Eric's in complete agreement with Rob: "It's not just Rock Band with Beatles songs in it. It's a sweeping grand tour of their entire career." Eric also has a strong opinion on how this title stands up against Rock Band's biggest rival, Guitar Hero -- and one version of it in particular.
Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand -- Impressions of The Beatles: Rock Band
By Benjamin Torrey
We go for the trifecta of Beatles love with Benjamin's take on one of the most popular groups in music history. Benjamin says, "The production qualities are enormous," "the sound production in general is wonderful, and "similar care went into the visuals." Wait, what's this? A criticism? Benjamin also says that "it can be distracting while trying to play the onscreen colored notes with your fake plastic instrument." Is there dissent in the land of the walrus?
Muramasa: The Demon Blade -- Pure, Gorgeous Action
By Suriel Vazquez
We'll jump from love of the past to the future of fun. Suriel really likes this take on not one but two somewhat tired genres -- the action-RPG and 2D fighting games. Suriel says that "Muramasa: The Demon Blade" is the most "pure" game that he's played in a long while." "The combat itself feels like a cross between a 3D action game (think Ninja Gaiden or Devil May Cry) and a 2D fighting game (specifically Capcom's vs. Series)." Rock on!
Shadow Complex Review
By Eric Majkut
"Copying is the sincerest form of flattery." That's how it goes, isn't it? In the case of Shadow Complex, it should be. The game's truly a Metroid clone, but that's not a bad thing. "It's a title that's made me reconsider what a platforming game can do," Eric says. Considering the hundreds of platformers many of us have played, that's a bold statement.
Touch Tuesday: Wolfenstein RPG
By Matthew Erazo
Five years after the advent of what came to be known as fighting games, the first-person shooter was born. The pioneer was a game called "Wolfenstein 3D," and in 2009 we have "Wolfenstein RPG," a game that could've been lame and boring. "Thankfully," Matt says, "id Software has created a game that is perfect for the platform -- fun in short bursts and simple." Matthew tells us. It's Reason No. 37 why the iPhone rules.
