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StokedRider
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- Review count88
- Helpfulness votes89
- First reviewJanuary 31, 2011
- Last reviewJanuary 17, 2016
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.4
- Review comment count1
- Helpfulness votes7
- First review commentFebruary 1, 2011
- Last review commentFebruary 1, 2011
- Featured review comments0
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Nintendo Wii U Deluxe Set with New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U: The Wii U is Nintendo's most powerful console to date, introducing several innovative control features. The lightweight GamePad includes tablet-like functionality, with a touch screen that offers fingertip and stylus interaction and adds a second screen to your gaming experience.Some of the most beloved characters in gaming history reside exclusively on Nintendo-branded consoles, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Zelda, Link, Donkey Kong, Samus and more. With the Wii U, all of these characters and the worlds they inhabit are displayed in full 1080p HD for the first time ever.The Miiverse is the Wii U's own built-in social network, which makes connecting with other players fun and easy. Share your gaming secrets, exchange artwork and become involved in the conversations that surround your favorite games, all without leaving your couch.This bundle includes two games. New Super Mario Bros. U brings the Mario series back to its roots, delivering a 2D adventure filled with whimsy and nostalgia. New Super Luigi U sends Mario's brother Luigi through a series of punishing time trials set in the same world as New Super Mario Bros. U.
Posted by: StokedRider
from US
Wii U simply needs more games. Most of the games offered are just HD versions of games that are nearly identical to their predecessors. Where's an ambitious Mario game like Mario 64 was on the N64? I don't understand why Nintendo's resting on their laurels instead of pushing the bar? I'd also like to see all-new content that is catered at a more mature audience.
As of right now, I've had Wii U for 2 years and probably played it for maybe, 20 hours? Yeah........
My Best Buy number: 0047510364
What's great about it: Inexpensive
What's not so great: Game Pad Controller, Battery Life, Game Selection
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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-9points
2of 13voted this as helpful.
Day after day, the war rages on. The relentless, formidable Deadarmy has taken command, the lord-sorcerers of Shadowcold supremely reigning from their castles of ice. The Alliance has floundered and yielded. You and your brethren, members of the remnant resistance, struggle, clinging to what hope you have left. When defeat seems certain, a powerful demon of flames chooses you to be its host — to become a warrior with power beyond comprehension.Take control of your destiny and aid humanity's struggle in Bound by Flame, a thrilling RPG that pits you against a fearsome enemy. Gain strength as you harness and develop combat, assassination and fire magic skills. Scavenge the land to uncover or create and improve your own custom weaponry. Develop romantic, friendly or rivalrous bonds with companions. Fight alongside allies as you battle fierce Shadowdragons, Leeches and the Deadarmy legion. War is upon you, and every decision you make holds great significance — will you struggle to maintain your humanity, or will you embrace the power resting within?
Posted by: StokedRider
from US
Firstly, I'll cover the graphics. Due to it being developed on a lower budget and not a "AAA" game release, my expectations for the graphics were rather low, but I find this game to be beautiful. The characters don't necessarily look real or animate as if they were real, however many of the textures are actually pretty detailed on PS4. It also runs in 1080p on PS4 with a framerate that was said to fluctuate between 30 and 60, but I've definitely had it drop lower than that. But I really like the art direction, lighting, shadows, etc. For a game that wasn't created on a huge budget, Bound by Flame exceeded my expectations.
Secondly, the gameplay is very fun. While not complex or that deep, what's here is quite enjoyable. I especially like a lot of the combat animations; combat maneuvers look more fluid than I was expecting. Even though the gameplay isn't complex, this is an incredibly challenging game that'll challenge most players even on lower difficulty settings.
Thirdly, I'll mention exploration since it's a role-playing game. I feel like I must mention that this isn't a massive open world like Skyrim, it's a far more structured RPG like The Witcher II. If I could compare Bound by Flame to any other RPG, it'd actually be The Witcher II. There's a lot to see and do, but it's not a game where you'll get lost because of how enormous it is.
Lastly, I'll talk story and characters. The story isn't super original and thus won't blow you away, but I did enjoy my time with it. If you're expecting something on par with some other role-playing games, this may disappoint you, but I found the story to be better than Skyrim which didn't have a memorable narrative, in my opinion. As for characters, some are good and some are not. There's a weird mishmash of solid voice acting and then some that's hilariously bad. It's not Two Worlds bad even at its absolute worst, but it's by no means great at times. But even when the voice acting isn't great, it's pretty entertaining. FYI, the male character is voiced by Travis Touchdown himself, and that makes some of the cheesy lines absolutely amazing.
My Best Buy number: 0047510364
What's great about it: Over-the-top but enjoyable dialogue, Solid story, Nice music, easy-to-learn gameplay with a challenge, Good art
What's not so great: Not the greatest game ever made, but a nice game nonetheless
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+4points
5of 6voted this as helpful.
In the beginning, the war-torn world was in chaos, the might of magic tearing the land asunder. Mysterious goddesses — the Intoners — descended and united the world, through power of song, in an age of peace. An Intoner, One, commanded the other goddesses and ruled over the land; however, not all was well. Rivalries between Intoners blossomed. One day, One's oldest sister and mighty Intoner, Zero, confronted One, with her dragon ally, Mikhail. What is Zero's intention? Why has she sided with the race of dragons? Will the world survive an impending age of turmoil?Journey to a faraway land to unravel the mystery of Zero, One and the Intoners in Drakengard 3, an action RPG that takes place before the events of the original Drakengard. Enter a medieval world that struggles to maintain peace as Zero attempts to eliminate her goddess-like sisters, the Intoners. Engage in intense hand-to-hand, hack-and-slash ground combat, and take to the skies to do battle atop Mikhail. The world is yours to discover — unravel the mysteries of Zero and uncover her motivation, before the world is once again engulfed by war.
Posted by: StokedRider
from US
Drakengard 3 has a whole lot of style. From the soundtrack, to the over-the-top voice acting, to the fast hack & slash combat, etc., Drakengard 3 delivers a unique experience while still being similar to other hack & slash titles. I was mostly anticipating Drakengard 3 because it was created by ex-Cavia talent who worked on the prior games and also Access Games who worked on the cult classics Spy Fiction and Deadly Premonition. That said, Drakengard 3 has more depth than most games in the genre, but it's held back by some issues pertaining to the Unreal Engine 3.
You play as Zero, a girl with quite an attitude, which makes the story fun and enjoyable to experience. While I don't find the story to be particularly original, the way its delivered, in addition to the entertaining voice acting and dialogue, help it become greater than the sum of its parts
As for the gameplay, you have the main objective, but you also have many side quests to complete. The gameplay itself has two parts: hack & slash combat and dragon combat, both offering some variety and a nice change of pace from one another. While neither of the two offer "best in class" gameplay, it's very enjoyable nonetheless.
Even though this game has problems, I still really like its presentation. Cutscenes looked really good, in my opinion, and the soundtrack is excellent throughout.
Since I mentioned that this game has some issues, let me mention those quickly. This game runs on the Unreal Engine 3, I think (or some other iteration of Unreal), and I think the developers had issues with the engine. While the game can look good at times, especially during cutscenes, textures and whatnot look decidedly dated for a PS3 title. In addition to the dated textures, there's a lot of framerate slowdown and screen tear throughout the game, which is unfortunate.
Other than the technical shortcomings, I really enjoyed my time with Drakengard 3.
My Best Buy number: 0047510364
What's great about it: Quirky story and characters, Fun Gameplay, Lots of style, Good soundtrack
What's not so great: Lousy framerate, lots of screen tear, etc.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
All it takes is the swipe of a finger. We connect with friends. We buy the latest gadgets and gear. We find out what's happening in the world. But with that same simple swipe, we cast an increasingly expansive shadow. With each connection, we leave a digital trail that tracks our every move and milestone, our every like and dislike. And it's not just people. Today, all major cities are networked. Urban infrastructures are monitored and controlled by complex operating systems.In Watch Dogs, this system is called the Central Operating System (CTOS) — and it controls almost every piece of the city's technology and holds key information on all of the city's residents. You play as Aiden Pearce, a brilliant hacker, whose criminal past led to a violent family tragedy. Now on the hunt for those who hurt your family, you'll be able to monitor and hack all who surround you by manipulating everything connected to the city's network. Access omnipresent security cameras, download personal information to locate a target, control traffic lights and public transportation to stop the enemy... and more.
Posted by: StokedRider
from US
As I first started playing Watch Dogs, I was blown away by what I experienced. First mission starts, it's stealth, and not only is the stealth really fun, the mood and setting totally sell the mission and opening of the game. Once you get out, you're introduced to the open world that Watch Dogs offers, and it's quite beautiful the first time you see it. Both the driving and gun combat are incredibly solid, but I'm more of a stealth guy when it comes to games, and Watch Dogs has delivered on that front. There's also a lot to see and do in the world, including hacking conversations, into bank accounts, seeing personal information of civilians, tons of side content, etc. It just offers so much.
I must say that I'm also really enjoying the soundtrack. It has a lot more recent music recorded after 2000 like Spitalfield and Alkaline Trio, to name a few.
In addition to all of the single player offerings, Watch Dogs has a very fun online component, and it's an absolute hoot. Granted, I haven't played all that much of it yet, but what I have played I have thoroughly enjoyed.
My Best Buy number: 0047510364
What's great about it: Open World, Hacking, Interacting with environment and characters, graphics, gameplay
What's not so great: Driving vehicles can be tricky, Cops are relentless
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
Have you ever asked yourself what our world would be like if history had unfolded differently? Have you ever wondered what would happen if one link in the chain of events was reversed? What if, for example, the Nazis had won World War II? The answer is that the face of this planet would be forever changed, irrevocably damaged. The year is 1960 and the worst has happened. The Nazis turned the tide of World War II in their favor with a new, mysterious brand of advanced weaponry that, along with unrelenting force and intimidation, brought even the most powerful nations to their knees. Who among this conquered planet has the courage to stand up to the merciless regime? What man has the guts and the skills to save the world from the grip of this iron fist? You are B.J. Blazkowicz, American war hero, and you are the only man capable of rewriting history. Only you can save us all.Launch the most daring counter-offensive in history in Wolfenstein: The New Order, a game that puts you up against oversize Nazi robots, hulking Super Soldiers and elite shock troops in intense first-person combat. Break into hidden research facilities and heavily guarded weapons stashes to find out where the Nazi's advanced technology came from, and level the playing field by upgrading your own tools of destruction with what you find. From mountaintop car chases to underwater exploration, Wolfenstein: The New Order cultivates an unbelievably exhilarating adventure with high-octane action and an immersive game narrative, created by a group of seasoned developers at MachineGames and rendered in stunning detail with the id Tech 5 engine. So if you think you have the heart and the daring of a hero, go up against this terrifying Nazi regime and restore history to its rightful place.
Posted by: StokedRider
from US
Wolfenstein: The New Order is the first game developed by MachineGames, a new game development studio comprised of industry veterans who worked on such titles as The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay and The Darkness. After leaving Starbreeze, these talents started MachineGames to continue their passion of making great games, and if Wolfenstein: The New Order is any indication, this studio has a bright future ahead of them.
First and foremost, Wolfenstein: The New Order is a single player game. Is that a negative? Not one bit. There are enough multiplayer games out there if that's what you're into, and only a few of them actually succeed, so it's best to leave multiplayer to the games that have people who want that and not waste resources on it when they could be better spent making a meatier and more satisfying single player game, and that's exactly what MachineGames did with Wolfenstein: The New Order. Depending on your style of play, you can get 20 hours out of this game on one playthrough, which is very long for a first-person shooter. In addition, both running & gunning and stealth are viable options since the level design allows for exploration and planning which is important if you're play stealthily. This also adds replay since here are two different ways you can play the game. As for the shooting, it's so buttery smooth and packs a punch. I haven't played a shooter in a very long time that felt this good. As for stealth, it's pretty basic but satisfying. It's fun throwing knives at the enemy or using a silenced pistol. :)
Onto the graphics, this game is available on Xbox One, PS4, PC, Xbox 360 and PS3, so it's a cross-generational release, which means it won't be the most graphically impressive game you've ever seen. Sometimes it looks outstanding, sometimes it looks okay, and other times you'll notice that some textures aren't as detailed as they could be. With that said, Wolfenstein: The New Order is a rarity on consoles like Xbox One and PS4 since it outputs native 1080p resolution and 60 frames-per-second on both.
Now the big surprise for me is the story. Wolfenstein was never known for story, but The New Order changes that. Likable protagonists, despised antagonists, all wonderfully voiced and acted. In addition, the soundtrack is tops.
Wolfenstein: The New Order surprised me by how good it is. Probably my favorite FPS since Half-Life 2.
My Best Buy number: 0047510364
What's great about it: Shooting Mechanics, Story, Voice Acting, Atmosphere, Length, Level Design
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Get lost in the expansive, awe-inspiring gaming universe, no matter where you go with the thrilling contents of this bundle. Delivering amazing versatility and portable connectivity, the PS Vita opens up your world to seemingly endless gaming possibilities, while the 8GB memory card and a digital voucher for Borderlands 2 instantly offer access to heart-pounding action, adrenaline-pumping adventure and more. The gaming sphere is brimming with exciting entertainment options from strategy and role playing games to intense and action-packed shooters, so you know that wherever you are, you can dive into your PS Vita and travel to other worlds. So revel in the power of the PS Vita resting in your hands and embark on a ruthless quest for revenge and redemption in Borderlands 2. Your gaming adventure has begun.Jump right into gaming with the jaw-dropping abilities of the PS Vita, which features dual analog sticks for the precise control you need to dominate the on-screen action. The high-resolution LCD screen will make it easy to get lost in other worlds with vivid, brilliant visuals of which you won't be able to get enough. With a slim form factor and increased battery life up to six hours, you can easily take your PS Vita with you on the go and enjoy the ability to entertain yourself no matter where you are. Store plenty of games, videos, photos, music and more on your PS Vita with the included 8GB memory card. When you're ready to begin the gaming action, download Borderlands 2, which includes six DLC packs, including Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Pack 1, Collector's Edition Pack, Mr. Torgue's Campaign of Carnage, Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate's Booty and more. Choose from six all-new characters and classes before stepping foot onto the frozen tundra of Pandora. Dynamic environments filled with new enemies, like the bulky Bullymongs, predatory Stalkers and relentless Hyperion mechanical army, require quick thinking and a quicker trigger finger. Customize your arsenal with a new gun system that lets you battle your foes with a seemingly endless array of weapon combinations, while procedurally generated shields, grenades, Alien Artifacts, class mods and more provide plenty of loot to lust after. With this bundle, you're well-equipped to stay engaged and entertained wherever you go — now nothing stands in the way of a satisfying portable gaming experience.
Posted by: StokedRider
from US
Age:25-34
Gender:Female
So I held off on buying a Vita because I didn't feel I needed one at the time, so I heard news of a "new" model that comes bundled with Borderlands 2 and decide that it's time to pick one up. I had played my friend's Vita 1000 prior to this and figured I'd like to have one but might as well wait until I can get one bundled with a decent game for a good price.
So I order one, go pick it up, come home, charge it, update it, then download Borderlands 2, and then it hit me that the image quality was much worse than I remember it being on my friend's Vita. I initially thought I had a bad screen, causing me to go to the local mom & pops game store that had a test unit of the 2000, but the image quality was exactly the same, and I came home to research it only to find out that they used a cheap LCD screen in the 2000. Disappointing. :( I looked up screenshots of a game online and the colors often aren't even the same. The 2000 makes colors look off, completely different, washed out, etc. There's absolutely no argument here, OLED is superior to LCD and I should've bought a Vita earlier since none of my stores have the 1000 model any longer.
Even though I'm saddened by them taking the cheap route with the 2000, there are improvements, most notably the battery now lasts longer from what I have heard, but this was never a concern since I wnn't play my Vita outside of my house. I can also tell that the form factor has changed and it's a little lighter, but it feels a little cheaper than what I remember my friend's 1000 feeling like.
I should also mention that the game selection for Vita is initially pretty solid. I picked up 22 games with the 2000. But I've since looked at the upcoming lineup and it's a bunch of unknown and strange games, nothing big or exciting. It seems as though the future of the Vita is more targeted at people who like Japanese games, of which I'm not one. I wish Sony would publish another Uncharted or something that shows off the Vita's graphical capabilities. I also recently started Killzone: Mercenary, a game with nice looking graphics and action, but there are no mid-level saves. :(
Vita is a nice device. but the 2000 is inferior to the 1000 in where it matters the most, image quality. LCD is old technology, while the OLED is still a very expensive, vastly superior experience. How they sold me old as new is my own fault since I didn't initially do enough research. :( I've learned my lesson.
My Best Buy number: 0047510364
What's great about it: Plays games
What's not so great: Inferior image quality compared to 1000, Game lineup looks bleak
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Performance
2
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-24points
6of 36voted this as helpful.
![Phoenix [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2215/22158603_sa.jpg)
Posted by: StokedRider
from US
Everything In Slow Motion's debut full-length is nothing short of mindblowing. Every track on this album is absolute perfection. I know I may sound like I'm pouring on the hyperbole, but this album is that good.
It's both a metal and rock album, combining very heavy music with a lot of melodic moments throughout, making this an album for someone who just likes a good rock album that has an emotional punch.
My Best Buy number: 0047510364
What's great about it: Musicianship, lyrics, vocals, cohesive while remaining surprising throughout
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Give Me a Rest [CD]
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
SynopsisThe majestic landscape of Antaloor once again stretches before you. How will you make your mark in this land of excitement and adventure? The world is yours to see in this all-new installment of the beloved RPG, Two Worlds. Journey through a land of mystery as you battle to stand out in not one, but Two Worlds.Two Worlds II takes you back to Antaloor with more control than ever before. Develop your skills as you choose a class and progress up a huge skill tree of possibilities. Expanded combat opportunities allow you to battle your way through this hostile land with melee attacks, an active blocking system, mounted combat, duel wielding and dirty new tricks to keep your enemies on their toes. As you build your range of battle skills, you can upgrade and enhance your weapon. With the right attention and dedication, you may just turn an ordinary sword into a weapon of infamy. Give your sword a break and decimate enemies with the D.E.M.O.N.S. magic system. Exercise your creativity as you combine elements to produce the perfect spell of destruction. With the opportunity to explore a world filled with action and adventure, you may want to take a breath and challenge yourself with Village Mode. Focus on building and maintaining a community as you complete village-only quests, then explore a world teeming with possibilities or focus on building a metropolis of your own. Head out on the adventure of a lifetime in a rich environment and turn Two Worlds II into your virtual home.
Customer Rating
4
Two Worlds II - A Good Sequel to a Really Bad Game
on January 31, 2011
Posted by: StokedRider
from US
Two Worlds II is a lush and rich open world RPG.
- 100+ hour adventure
- Great graphics
- Huge environments
- Improved voice acting
- Lots of leveling, skills, loot
- Tons of multiplayer modes: Village (Sims-like RTS gameplay), Online Deathmatch-style modes, Co-op mode that introduces its own 20-30 hour story, and more
- Tons of replay value
Two Worlds II isn't a perfect game, but it's a very good one, so if you like RPG titles, this game is definitely for you.
What's great about it: Graphics, Variety of Gameplay, Loot, RPG Systems, Replay Value, Single Player, Multiplayer
What's not so great: Minor Dialogue Problems, Glitches
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Divinity II: Ego Draconis — PRE-OWNED - Xbox 360
(1)
Risen — PRE-OWNED
(1)
Arcania: Gothic 4 - Xbox 360
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+9points
9of 9voted this as helpful.
StokedRider's Review Comments
SynopsisThe majestic landscape of Antaloor once again stretches before you. How will you make your mark in this land of excitement and adventure? The world is yours to see in this all-new installment of the beloved RPG, Two Worlds. Journey through a land of mystery as you battle to stand out in not one, but Two Worlds.Two Worlds II takes you back to Antaloor with more control than ever before. Develop your skills as you choose a class and progress up a huge skill tree of possibilities. Expanded combat opportunities allow you to battle your way through this hostile land with melee attacks, an active blocking system, mounted combat, duel wielding and dirty new tricks to keep your enemies on their toes. As you build your range of battle skills, you can upgrade and enhance your weapon. With the right attention and dedication, you may just turn an ordinary sword into a weapon of infamy. Give your sword a break and decimate enemies with the D.E.M.O.N.S. magic system. Exercise your creativity as you combine elements to produce the perfect spell of destruction. With the opportunity to explore a world filled with action and adventure, you may want to take a breath and challenge yourself with Village Mode. Focus on building and maintaining a community as you complete village-only quests. Explore a world teeming with possibilities or focus on a building a metropolis of your own, the choice is yours. Head out on the adventure of a lifetime in a rich environment and turn Two Worlds II into your virtual home.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5First one was the worst game I ever played
By jrsmithnwesson
from Denver, CO
Short and sweet... Unless they completely re-did this series, do not buy this game. I bought the first one, played for 5 minutes and sold it to buy back games.... it was awful, graphics sucked, glitchy, movements sucked, no plot, just plain the worst game ever
StokedRider
US
Please never review anything
February 1, 2011
Either play the game, or please, just don't review it. Two Worlds II is a very good game, unlike the original. You're missing out by writing it off.
+7points
7of 7voted this comment as helpful.
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