Clark Kent says: Halo and Bungie are synonymous with quality and dedication. Now on it’s final journey together, gamers go back to where it all begins to see how it ends. Is this game worthy of being called a classic? Or is ‘Halo: Reach’ clutching at straws? Read more after the jump.

GOOD: There’s little to surprise for the hardcore ‘Halo’ fan, especially if they’re a part of the millions of fans who played the multi-player beta earlier this year. Bungie’s approach to crafting the perfect first-person shooter remains the same. Co-op friendly campaign is filled with familiar Covenant aliens. Online competition is just as fierce as ever. There’s a lot of flexibility to tweak the settings to one’s liking. As the nameless hero a part of Noble 6, there’s no Master Chief this go around, but thanks to a deep new customization system gamers can change their look to fit your personality. Elites are back as the heavily armed offensive threat of the Covenant pack. Players who test their mettle on Heroic and Legendary settings will find themselves fighting a more aggressive and engaging enemy that in other first-person shooters. The alien vistas and colorful terrains are visually striking. Sometimes you’ll be in awe at the sheer grand scope of it all. Fighting a war that rages on an entire planet will be epic and gamers will be happy at all the new and familiar toys Bungie provides for the firefight.

BAD: Where ‘Halo: Reach‘ does fall short is its effort to showcase life on Planet Reach. Gamers will notice sporadic signs of wildlife — but nothing hardly indicative of a game-world that’s alive — making such things as civilians, animals, and vehicles like forklifts — detached from any sense of what Reach was before the invasion. Even the militarized civilians end up becoming meat for the slaughter and don’t offer much of a fight. It would’ve been better to see signs of a fight (executing traps in cutscenes or during gameplay) that shows the inhabitants of Reach not going quietly into the dark.

UGLY: In short, ‘Halo: Reach‘ is a fantastic package and a perfect bookmark to end Bungie’s involvement with the popular first-person shooter franchise. There are several core components in the solo campaign and online that outclass many other titles. The storytelling in the solo, plus the powerful audio-visual experience all around, gives gamers all what they were looking for in a finale entrée. Online competition presents a brand new experience for gamers packed with a lot more options, customization, and faster pacing. Firefight has stepped up and finally reached its potential and be it playing the campaign or completing an online match, ‘Halo: Reach’ references the past and injects new life into a tried and true formula. Rack up enough points through it all and you can make your Noble 6 into its own Master Chief. ‘Reach’ may be the conclusion of Bungie and Microsoft’s partnership, but the final chapter invokes that good ole’ feeling that hooked gamers nine years ago, as well as introduce some new directions that could take the franchise into another direction. All in all, this game is one phenomenal farewell!

Clark Kent says: In other words… Buy It! If you haven’t bought it already, make sure you get it. Down to take on some Covenant scum? Hit me up online at ClarkKentBKNY. Got an opinion? Watch the ‘Halo: Reach’ trailer below and share your thoughts in the comments section:

Clark Kent says: ‘Mafia II’ utilizes realism over catoonish violence — and I’m not afraid to review this game no matter how many fishes wrapped up in newspaper 2K Czech sends me.

GOOD: At its core ‘Mafia II’ is a period piece that’s so beautiful and detailed that gamers feel like they’re a part of a developing story. 2K Czech does a great job at letting that dictate the mission designs. Players can set bombs in high rises or rescue allies from a slaughterhouse. Collectible items like wanted posters and Playboy Magazines add some extra excitement to ‘Mafia II’. The combat system is based on realism. As Vito, you aren’t able to run and gun, but taking cover and peering around a corner to fire your piece is fun. Driving has a similar dedication to the mid-20th century. Gamers will notice yellow stop signs, instead of red, and you’ll have to abide by speed limits or else you’ll draw the attention of the police. On top of all that, the element of detail used in ‘Mafia II’ gives the gamer an extra oomph of excitement. The cinematic tricks used in the cutscenes showcase how 2K Czech believes in great production value. There are some really dope over-the-shoulder angles that you wouldn’t normally see in most games and little nuances that make the movies visually awesome.

BAD: The cutscenes. Simply put, you spend your time driving to the next movie, which is used as something to get you through the story. Much like ‘The Truman Show’ gamers won’t have the luxury of experience random moments to interact with like ‘Red Dead Redemption’ or ‘Grand Theft Auto’. ‘Mafia II‘ demands you to stick to the path — crouching behind boxes, pop out to shoot, and then go back to hiding so you can get your health back. The game also struggles with pacing. Gamers will finish a mission on one side of town, then have to drive back, only to have to return to the apartment to stare at the wall like a robot, walk to bed, and go to sleep. Nothing major happens in this time. You’re only left to do menial tasks to close out the chapter. Players actions make no impact on how the game plays out, either during the levels or through the cutscenes, making the linear approach to ‘Mafia II‘ too rigid.

UGLY: ‘Mafia II‘ can be interestingly aggressive and naggingly conscientious. Cool mechanics where cops will report your license plate or clothing description marks the attention to detail that powers this mob third-person title. Rick Pasqualone and Robert Costanzo give ‘Mafia II’ a “made man” appeal, but gamers should be wary and prepared for a pretty standard third-person shooter. Graphically — the game is beautiful — delivering on details as minor as concrete dividers on the highway, Prohibition Era styled wanted posters, and advanced character body language and expression. The dialogue is never cheesy making ‘Mafia II’ fun and faithful to the original. All of this builds an experience that is worth the price of admission.

Clark Kent says: In other words… Buy It! I’d hate to give away the more jaw-dropping aspects of the game. ‘Mafia II’ is one to have in your collection. Got an opinion? Share ‘em below and peep the trailer:

Clark Kent says: Not much of a racing fan but I do get busy when destruction is involved. ‘Split/Second’ challenges your hand-eye coordination with some pretty outrageous sights. Find out if this is the game for you after the jump.

GOOD: Impressive from the jump ‘Split/Second’ has things yet to be seen in a racing game. Other games cannot compare to the sheer impressive destruction and explosions that this game provides. The visuals are jaw dropping. Racing through destructive props like passenger jets to power plant cooling towers to collapsing train tracks — you’ll witness explosions assaulting your eyes as soon as you’re off the starting line. Black Rock Studio and Disney Interactive Studios do a wonderful job of navigating gamers through courses, plastering visual cues around the track.

BAD: The main problem with ‘Split/Second‘ is that it relies to much on its arcadish style of play while the other aspects of the game feel somewhat weak. There isn’t much to be said beyond these mechanics making the game somewhat repetitive in nature. Gamers find themselves racing a number of courses that are stretched across the same four environments — adding onto the repetitiveness. The game’s racing AI can equally be frustrating as gamers find themselves bouncing off the walls like it was a slicked-up version of ‘Mario Kart’.

UGLY: ‘Split/Second’ has much going for itself in the way of visuals and gameplay. Fans of kart and arcade racing will find this one a must-have. The animation and sounds are impressive. There is enough filler in the single-player season mode to last you quite awhile. ‘Split/Second’ is an addictive game whose x-factor is defined by strong level design and the power play mechanic. In the end the game offers enough fun that anyone can play and enjoy the action.

Clark Kent says: In other words… Buy It! ‘Split/Second’ is a fun game to be played online or with friends. Either way this title will keep you busy for quite a while. Share your thoughts and see what you’re getting yourself into below:

Clark Kent says: ‘Splinter Cell‘ is a game in name only. Fans of Jack Bauer and don’t know Sam Fisher need to see how amazing this game is after the jump.

GOOD: ‘Splinter Cell: Conviction‘ is unlike its predecessors. Moving like a cheetah while the past games ran like a tortoise, a lot of elements go into redefining the stealth action genre. The game’s fundamentals remain the same, but gone are those annoying night-vision goggle missions, unlock-able mini-games, and having to move downed enemies. In ‘Conviction’ — Sam Fisher has completely shifted from being a follower of orders to becoming focused on vengeance — and the change is apparent in the game. Stealth and combat is now fast, visceral, and smooth. There is a noticeable improvement in the game’s shooting mechanics that is pleasing in almost every tangible way.

BAD: ‘Splinter Cell: Conviction’ can be compared to another superstar stealth-action-adventure game, ‘Metal Gear Solid,’ but much like Solid Snake’s first adventure on the PlayStation — enemy A.I. creates an issue. Gamers will notice that the A.I. runs on a pre-determined path, making it easy to do away or dodge the enemy. Equally frustrating is the fact that you cannot interrupt the NPC’s repetitive chatter.

UGLY: This game is a satisfying conclusion to Sam Fisher’s saga. “Mark and Execute” is hands-down the best new feature ‘Conviction’ has to offer. Gamers are able to “mark” a particular enemy and then “execute” then with the push of a button which finds you going straight Jason Bourne in a video game. The vocal work is superb, with props going to Michael Ironside as the vengeful Sam Fisher. You’ll appreciate how intuitive the game is when playing. While it may not be the back-to-basics game that fans were looking forward to, ‘Conviction’ is outstanding from start to finish. Full of action, satisfying single-player campaign, and some entertaining online components — Sam Fisher has finally stepped out of the shadows and his full-out assault makes complete sense in context with the story.

Clark Kent says: In other words… Buy It! I never was a fan of ’24′ but this playing this game gives me an adrenaline kick. Share your thoughts and check out the trailer below:

Clark Kent says: It feels good to be a writer these days. Websites like this and others are beginning to make themselves known amongst all the copy-cats. ‘Alan Wake’ looks to set itself apart from its video game literary counterparts — but does it? Find out after the jump.

GOOD: ‘Alan Wake’ takes the straightforward path in presenting an excellent game full of character building and plot twists that offers enough to keep you hooked. First announced back in 2005 — the game finds the player as writer Alan Wake who is searching for his wife in the befallen small town of Bright Falls. The visuals are the main course in this digital delight. Focusing on the powers of darkness, as well as the opposing power that is light, players control that force in the form of a simple flashlight. The story-telling fleshing out the supernatural events in some uniquely interesting ways. Written by Sam Lake the words compliment the satisfying combat mechanic that makes fighting an illuminating experience. Venturing off the beaten path is a plus for true adventurers as gamers are encouraged to risk life and limp to grab in-game collectibles. The game is endearingly self-aware of itself and Remedy has done an excellent job creating a rich experience for the gamer.

BAD: ‘Alan Wake’ has a few different takes on the core action — a few of them require precise button taps that can be mighty stressful when finding one’s self overwhelmed by axe-wielding ghosts. Other than that the game doesn’t offer too many genuinely surprising or completely Stephen King-esque events.

UGLY: Remedy has presented a swirling tale of fiction that entertains the gamer thoroughly. Exploration is encouraged over plowing through the game’s plot — making the experience rewarding as a result. Hidden gems such as radios and television sets are placed all over for your enjoyment. Gamers who take the time to listen and watch everything they can witness what a great job Petri Järvilehto, Sam Lake and the Remedy team do in building an authentic game. ‘Alan Wake’ is a little bit of Stephen King mixed with ‘Twin Peaks’ and pays homage to ‘Twilight Zone’ with the live-action ‘Night Springs’ television show. The game blurs fact and fiction while still retaining its bearings even as the plot spirals further into the voyage fantastic.

Clark Kent says: In other words… Buy It! I must admit a little biased since the main character is a writer and in a world becoming overly populated by bloggers — it’s good to see that Remedy show love to the creative culture. Got any thoughts? Share them in the comments section below and enjoy the ‘Alan Wake’ trailer, too!

Clark Kent says: It’s always a little bit sad when something you love finally comes to an end. In this case, Kratos is out to do one thing — kill Zeus — but was his last hooray the stuff of legends? Find out more after the jump.

GOOD: ‘God of War’ was nothing short of perfect and after the ending to the sequel, audiences were salivating at the hint of a third and final tale. Again blending combat, platforming, and puzzles, Kratos’ chaotic ride is story-driven wrapped in 1080i goodness. There’s literally something new around every corner. The level design feels like you’re climbing up Mount Olympus alongside Kratos. Throughout his journey the sights become more dazzling, the enemies (both new and old) come out the wood-work, and you get some new weapons to play with. Sony Santa Monica has done little to change the game, but it adds a unique flair to pay homage to the first two stories.

BAD: With weapons like the Bow of Apollo, Claws of Hades, and Nemesis Whip — to name a few — it would have been nice to have more weapons that were truly unique like the Nemean Cestus pick-up. The inclusion of the Titans as a “friend/foe” type factor in ‘God of War 3′ — it’s hard not to notice how they make everything else seem less grandiose in scale. You begin the game fighting on Gaia’s back as she ascends Mount Olympus and once you get indoors, solving a puzzle or fighting bosses only twice Kratos’ size, only seems normal when you compare it to what’s going on outside. One can only imagine how the game may have been if there were a few more Titan levels/fights over the course of the game.

UGLY: ‘God of War’ had the best story in the history of the game’s franchise and the sequel had everything you wanted with combat and button-mashing. When it comes down to Kratos’ final bow — it ends as the most consistent and varied of the three games. Not as focused as the first, nor as moment-packed as the sequel, but you can find very little to complain about in the end. Rip Torn stands out vocally as the god of blacksmiths — Hephaestus. His voice comes deep from his chest giving his words a glimpse of sadness that carries weight. On the few occasions you meet him in the game you get a hint at how a snip here and a cut there would have improved the game. T.C. Carson delivers the chaos as Kratos and Natalie Lander (Pandora) gives a surprisingly strong performance. Her voice adds greatly to the game.

Clark Kent says: In other words — Buy It! For those who are picking this game up without playing the first two then you need to get that Collector’s Edition ASAP. Anybody got any ideas on what’s next for Kratos? Let me know in the comments section. You can check out the trailer below:

Clark Kent says: Over the years 2K Sports has redefined sports entertainment in a truly amazing fashion. While loyalists have championed their NBA franchise and patiently wait for the NFL 2K series to challenge EA’s dominance, their baseball has left much to be desired. Have the guys from Novato finally hit a homerun? Find out after the jump.

GOOD: Baseball gamers may be enticed by the debate raised by Sony’s ‘MLB: The Show’ — which only recently broke onto the same — but since 2006 folks wait to see if 2K can keep pace with the competition. MLB 2K10 takes a huge step forward with their focus on the hitter vs. pitcher duel. The game’s refined graphics adds another level of authenticity in its animation. When you step up to the plate or hurl the ball, it is a beauty to watch. Players must exhibit discipline and patience in waiting for that perfect pitch — much like players do in reality. MLB 2K10 is an even playing field where neither the hitter nor the pitcher have an advantage. The game also delivers real-time results that have become a staple in 2K games that ensure that the commentary is fresh daily.

BAD: ‘MLB 2K10′ falls apart once you go deeper into the experience. ‘My Player’ is satisfying when you’re striking guys out, but playing as a catcher is absolutely terrible. You aren’t given any control over what pitch is being thrown and in the end are left fielding pop-up fly balls and bunts. Boring. The same can be said for when you’re playing out in the field. ‘MLB 2K10′ only lets you play moments where your player is directly involved rather than allowing you play an entire game. That’s not baseball. It grounds the experience into being a chore instead of pure videogame enjoyment. Equally it takes away from the realism that hitter vs. pitcher exemplifies. Even when you focus on making your player the next best thing since Derek Jeter execution of distributing skill points make it another headache when playing MLB 2K10. While certain points are easily attainable (hitting and fielding), to progress anyone other than a pitcher you’d have to have Kenny Lofton legs or something. For example in order to improve your speed on the base path, you need to cross home plate or complete a hit-and-run opportunity. But to score a run you’ll need to be fast and depend on your AI-controlled players to put the ball in play — something that seem to have trouble doing from time to time.

UGLY: The online experience was not as smooth as one would hope when playing a game on the Xbox 360. A lag was definitely noticeable even when competition was mere feet away in another room. There were a few other bugs that seemed like they came right out of horror movie. But despite its many flaws, ‘MLB 2K10′ is still a much better game at its core than what the series presented last year. The idea of ‘My Player’ is sound, but it didn’t work out as well as designed. The game’s true enjoyment comes with the hitter vs. pitcher gameplay. It plays out so smoothly that now 2K Sports has something to build upon and capitalize on with their 2K11 effort.

Clark Kent says: In other words: Rent It! ‘MLB 2K10′ is in stores now. You can check out the “Hitter vs. Pitcher” face-off below:

Clark Kent says: The debate about Quantic Dream’s newest title has been raging since E3 2008. Since then ‘Heavy Rain’ has come out to some interesting reviews and sold out stores. But did it create a whole new lane in first-person narrative gaming? Or did Sony just mind-fuck the public in believing it was? Find out after the jump.

GOOD: ‘Heavy Rain’ is a pretty straight-shooting psychological thriller which places the gamer in the shoes of four distinct characters all affected by the mysterious Origami Killer. Armed to the teeth with ambition, players are thrown into a world where literally anything is interactive. Quantic Dream’s follow-up to ‘Farenheit’, ‘Heavy Rain’ improves on video game emoting with a tightly-scripted game full of fast-pace action and a lingering sense of dread. The graphics are simply lush. Everything from the fight scenes to changing a baby’s diaper gives you that sense of realism that was advertised since E3 2008. Events like the CSI inspired investigation conducted by the FBI’s Norman Jayden will have your jaw hitting the floor. Once Jayden goes back to his hole-in-the-wall office, his ARI glasses give you a little bit of fun as you can change the scenery with lush environments (armed with some horrible after-effects). The key factor in this PlayStation 3 exclusive is its fluidity in story-telling. Multiple endings and different ways in and out of scenarios gives ‘Heavy Rain’ a somewhat unique leg-up on 22nd Century gaming.

BAD: Sadly, ‘Heavy Rain’ is not all that unique. While marvelous in packaging and design, it had enough tools to be something truly spectacular, but falls shorts on numerous levels. After literally waking out of bed, players shake the SIXAXIS to brush your teeth, and it’s Repetitive-ville, U.S.A. for the rest of the game. Such activities as pushing a see-saw, putting pizza in the oven, and giving CPR are NOT thrilling experiences worthy of labeling this game as a classic. The game’s story plods forward using the four central characters to drag the story along. ‘Heavy Rain’ genuinely gives some exciting moments but tries too hard to be smart. It creates an illusion of urgency, giving you a feeling that your choices matter to the game, but that’s not entirely true. There are many sections of the game that play itself out — similar to the 1983 laser disc game ‘Dragon’s Lair’ — and no matter how hard you try and fail them, will always be completed successfully. In the story, Ethan — whose son has been kidnapped by The Origami Killer — must go through a number of “trials” in order to save his son. Boldly enough, you can put the controller on the floor, and the game will play itself for the most part. Lastly, huge plot-holes in the conclusion of the game’s plot and horrible voice acting (most notably Norman Jayden) won’t have the folks at Naughty Dog or BioWare looking over their shoulders any time soon.

UGLY: ‘Heavy Rain’ is ludicrously over-the-top in a way that becomes simply laughable. While theme was to be set in a real world with real things to push and move, Quantic Dream provides huge ridiculous spectacles with unbelievable characters that ruin the game’s overall narrative. For all of the work put into this game, it would be a lie to say that there aren’t some truly breathtaking moments that will have you daydreaming of a life where the Project Natal came out for the PS3. Characters like Norman Jayden (the spitting image of a video game Keanu Reeves), Scott Shelby, and others littered throughout the story come-off as exaggerated caricatures of themes used elsewhere. Chapters move along slowly, as the player can choose to be a spectator, and poor writing gives a wooden tone to a game whose potential was advertised greatly, yet not included in full. Everyone who plays it will have fun, which is key, but fun for the sake of $60 may not be worth the aftertaste ‘Heavy Rain’ leaves.

Clark Kent says: In other words, I’m split. I personally went out and bought the game and have no regrets with that. But it IS a recession and while I’m champion being a collector, if you choose to save your money… I won’t be mad. To put it simply: Buy/Rent It. Check out the ‘Heavy Rain’ trailer below and share your thoughts below:

Clark Kent says: There is an on-going debate on whether this movie is better than ‘Harry Potter’. Let me end that for you — it’s not! But you can find out what ‘Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief’ is… after the jump!

GOOD: Director Chris Columbus (‘Harry Potter‘) has fun with this goofy premise. In ‘Percy Jackson’ our hero — played by Logan Lerman — finds out that he’s the son of Poseidon, which is cool too when you think about it. Aided by his protector, Brandon T. Jackson (a man-goat hybrid), Alexandra Daddario (Annabeth – daughter of Athena), and Pierce Brosnan (a centaur) — Percy’s friends fuel the engine to keep the movie moving on cruise control. The film’s CGI is aimed straight at the kiddie set. Ages seven to 13 will be able to experience a blood-free Greek mythology spectacle that should be entertaining for the family moviegoing crowd. If you like a movie full of safe overtones and non-violent violence, then ‘Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief’ is right up your alley.

BAD: For all of Chris Columbus’ good intentions to make ‘Percy Jackson’ comparable to ‘Harry Potter,’ his knowledge of the cinematic fantasy-adventure genre doesn’t serve him well. From the beginning of the movie you’re scratching your head — wondering how could Percy Jackson be the lightning thief when he didn’t even know he was a demi-god? Craig Titley’s screenplay doesn’t try to fit all the pieces in the puzzle and the dialogue comes across as flat and dry — no matter how many “cools” are littered throughout. For all the adventure advertised in ‘Percy Jackson’ — the film is agreeably tame. The movie’s monsters are CGI puppies when compared to the villainous rampage of Lord Vordemort. This ho-hum response from these creatures elicit no scare factor. But the film’s major misstep is the dull characterizations and gaping plot-holes that undermine Columbus’ best directorial efforts.

UGLY: ‘Percy Jackson’ has not cracked that elusive ‘Harry Potter’ code in terms of success and cinematic quality. The blood-free action sequences and teenage angst could make this a film to take the kiddies too, but if your child is anything like the kids of the Internet Age — they may have a few questions that will be up to you, as parents, to answer. Major points are taken off for the fact that the film’s sole black character is a servant to the title character. The flick does push an honest sense of 21st century wonder with similar qualities that first led folks to Hogwarts, but in the end Percy’s world is just not magical enough to make one want to live there.

Clark Kent says: In other words… Skip it! You can huddle the kids up in the living room and watch this on your HDTV (and hopefully in 3-D) and pay a one-time fee that’s agreeable with your wallet. Check out the trailer to ‘Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief’ below:

Clark Kent says: Fans of 2K Marin’s bizarre tale of Andrew Ryan and his underwater city called ‘Rapture’ will welcome the changes they’ve made with ‘BioShock 2′. But did some of the first game’s message get lost in the current? Find out after the jump.

GOOD: The first ‘BioShock’ was a critical and commercial success; proving that you didn’t have to sacrifice intellect for the big sales. For the sequel, there are fewer questions about what a splicer is, why the city failed, and more about who you are and what you’re doing. The approach works well keeping the action and story on a pretty even keel. ‘BioShock 2′ is a AAA title that will force you to ask the question, ‘Am I killer? Or am I human?’ Your actions do have an affect on the game and those around you in it. Changes like the ability to wield dual plasmids, new trap rivets, and the addition of a remote hack dart put players through the ringer — in a good way. ‘BioShock 2′ is still a thinking man’s game but with some well received changes this add onto 2K Marin’s legacy.

BAD: While players may have the ability to use Big Daddy to skewer your opponents, ‘BioShock 2′ suffers a miscue in casting. Andrew Ryan was a fascinating figure from the first game, but the new queen of the underwater castle — Sofia Lamb — isn’t as polarizing of a character. Also the game doesn’t give the same kind of mystique that was created so originally in ‘BioShock’ — leaving the sequels potency kind of lackluster — a penalty of re-use. This makes ‘BioShock 2′ feel more like a side-story (see: ‘Halo: ODST’) instead of a full-fledged sequel jam packed with maniacal action.

UGLY: ‘BioShock 2′ takes the best part of the action from the original and blends it with a fresh story arc that separates itself from Andrew Ryan’s philosophy of objectivism. Take away a few points due to game’s re-using of some tricks and deceptions implemented in the first game. Add to it the less exciting story arc and equally less fascinating Sofia Lamb and you still don’t have much to complain about when you play ‘BioShock 2′. While the game isn’t bad, it’s not a full-fledged classic, either.

Clark Kent says: In other words… Buy It! It’ll definitely be worth your money and the replay value on it is pretty good, too. If you haven’t peep the interview with Jordan Thomas, check it out here. Enjoy the trailer below: