Opinion: A Week With PlayStation Move: Some Reflections
Posted by Mark Cullinane in Console, Opinion, PS3 on 01. Sep, 2010 | 0 Comments
Having received a press review unit from Sony, as well as went hands-on with a mix of titles slated for various release dates before Christmas, we have a much better idea of what the new PlayStation Move system is like, what it promises for gameplay, and indeed the quality of games we can expect from [...]
Review: Start The Party! is no replacement for Ritalin (PS3)
Posted by Mark Cullinane in PS3, Reviews on 01. Sep, 2010 | 1 Comment
The first thing you notice about Start The Party! is that everything about it is LOUD. Clearly designed for children with attention deficit disorders, the bouncy visuals and in-your-face presentation never let up from the minute you slip in the disc.
Start The Party! bears all the worst hallmarks of a launch title for new hardware- [...]
Review: Sports Champions (PS3) completes Move’s rite of mini-game passage
Posted by Mark Cullinane in Console, PS3, Reviews on 01. Sep, 2010 | 0 Comments
Nintendo has a lot to answer for.
Following the axiom that every new motion controller must launch with a collection of sports-themed mini-games, Sony’s flagship PlayStation Move launch title adheres closely to the template laid out by Nintendo’s mega-selling Wii Sports series. A little too closely, as it happens, because although this workmanlike package undoubtedly achieves [...]
Review: And Yet It Moves will spin you right round baby, right round (WiiWare)
Posted by Mark Cullinane in Reviews, Wii on 28. Aug, 2010 | 2 Comments
And Yet It Moves, Broken Rules’ belated Wii conversion of the PC original, is another in the burgeoning category of 2D indie darlings.
It isn’t particularly charming or beguiling. It has no plot to speak of, nor are there any characters whatsoever beyond the bland avatar you control. There are no emotional resonances or no implied [...]
100-Word Review: Dragon Quest IX (DS)
Posted by Mark Cullinane in 100-Word Reviews, DS, Handheld, Reviews on 14. Aug, 2010 | 1 Comment
The coming of Japan’s most feverishly anticipated series to Western shores is a cause for role-playing celebration, because DQIX, despite clinging to just about every genre convention imaginable, is a singularly charming- not to mention sprawling- adventure that somehow harks back to a more innocent era of gaming.
With just enough concessions to modernity to [...]
Mediawatch: Limbo reaction shows videogame journalism stuck in teenage years
Posted by Mark Cullinane in Console, Opinion, Xbox 360 on 07. Aug, 2010 | 14 Comments
The emergence of indie games as a creative force to be reckoned with has been one of the most welcome revolutions sparked by the rise of digital distribution. This month, Danish studio Playdead’s Xbox Live Arcade title Limbo joins World of Goo and Braid as critically acclaimed low-budget, high-concept indie titles that have grabbed the [...]
PlayStation Plus’ lucky dip of content not for everyone, probably for someone
Posted by Mark Cullinane in Console, Opinion, PS3, Reviews on 26. Jul, 2010 | 0 Comments
Videogame ownership is so passé. Where once we purchased boxed copies at retail, it has been decided that the future of videogames is one filled with DRM, conditional ownership and the holy grail- monthly subscription fees.
Much of this has yet to come to pass, but in recent times we’ve seen ideas like OnLive threaten to [...]
Mediawatch: The Irish Times gaming nous disappoints
Posted by Mark Cullinane in Opinion on 10. Jul, 2010 | 1 Comment
It was with great interest that I noted The Irish Times, Ireland’s main broadsheet daily paper, has instituted a gaming section in its weekly culture magazine, The Ticket. Finally, I thought, gaming would take its rightful place amongst the film, music and theatre coverage that previously dominated the supplement.
Whilst what I’ve seen so far has [...]
Editors’ Blog: Navel Gazing
Posted by Mark Cullinane in Editor's Blog on 04. Jul, 2010 | 0 Comments
We’re changing our approach to reviews. More info inside.
Review: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2011
Posted by Mark Cullinane in Console, PS3, Reviews, Wii, Xbox 360 on 04. Jul, 2010 | 0 Comments
To describe it as an annus horribilis for world golf’s most talented player would be an understatement. Electronic Arts have stuck by their man, though, and although forced to share the boxart with Irish wunderkind McIlroy, this year’s instalment in the long-running series arrives bang on schedule.
Questions deserve to be asked, however, about whether [...]
