So here we go, part 3!
Super Mario 3D Land - The reason to buy a 3DS. There, I said it. After a somewhat sketchy launch with a lackluster title line up, it would take the famous red plumber to set things right.
3D land features some of the most beautiful graphics on the 3DS, an incredibly simple, yet inventive way to use the 3D by extending the background and horizon rather than throw objects in your face, combined with some rock solid controls, plenty of worlds to explore and the charming Mario atmosphere that oozes through every pore. Buy a 3DS. Buy Super Mario Land 3D. Thank me in cash later.
Guardian Heroes/ Daytona USA - Two of the most notable games to be released on the Sega Saturn back in the day were re-released on XBLA this fall with improved graphics, new extras and new gameplay modes. It was a nostalgia overload with the branching paths and combo based fighting control scheme for Guardian Heroes and the arcade racing from Daytona. Both were still insanely polished and fun to play with the addition of online play to make an already sweet deal even sweeter. Everything about these ports were fantastic and with the release of Radiant Silvergun on the XBLA earlier this year, my yearning for more Saturn titles to be re-released grows daily. Please Sega, please release more!
Warhammer 40K; Space Marine - Released around the same time a certain other third person shooter was release, Warhammer stood out by combining both third person shooting and third person hack and slash gameplay together that allowed you to seamlessly switch between the two. This played well to a decent length campaign with an intriguing story and extensive background of the 40K universe. I knew next to nothing about Warhammer before playing this, but by the end, I was making it a habit to catch up on nearly a decade's worth of lore. On top of an excellent single player campaign, the multiplayer was also a great deal of fun as you customize your own space marine and do battle with rivals online.
It may have not been the best third person game of the year, but it was most definitely one of the most fun third person action titles of the year. Besides, any game that has me spending time catching up on the game's lore for hours on end has to stand for something right?
Stacking - A charming adventure title from the developer of Psychonauts and Grim Fandango. You play as Charlie, the smallest doll in the family as you travel to different words and use the ability to leap into larger dolls in order to solve puzzles and progress through the stages as you try to rescue your family from a fate of servitude to the evil Baron.
Everything about this game, both in terms of gameplay and art direction is absolutely delightful and exudes an aura of comfort and warmth. Maybe its from the storybook like tale of a poor lad trying to save his family, or maybe its that each of the environments resemble a diorama for toys from the 1920's? No matter what it is, its a game that is wonderfully crafted, and a joy to play through. Sit back, press start and enjoy. There are not many games that I would ever consider relaxing, but this is one of the very few.
Marvel vs. Capcom 3/Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 - Sure, a new version of the game came out before the year even finished. Sure, Capcom felt that they could charge money for costumes that should have been on the disk. Sure Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 could have most likely been a DLC add-on rather than another $40 game. Despite all of these issues, I still played both versions to death both solo and with friends and had fun every second I was doing so.
There was no other fighting game this year that came close to the sheer chaotic and frenetic fighting gameplay as Marvel vs. Capcom 3. Taking up where Marvel vs. Capcom 2 left off, Capcom's brightest square off against Marvel's all stars as they go head to head in a crazy, combo based gameplay. This game is a game for all fighting fans, from button mashers to the frame counting pros, everyone has a from of competition in here and whether you play online or on a single screen, the pure camaraderie of playing an well made fighting game with your friends is something that is sorely missing from most game in this age.
Sure its a flawed game (the online isn't perfect, the learning curve is fairly steep, a unsubstantial single player) but if you can get past those issues, you're left with a responsive and fun fighter with enough recognizable and unique playing characters for all types of players. Mortal Kombat may have had the best single player (and is an excellent game in its own right) but no other fighter captivated me and my friends more than this game. I spent hundreds of hours learning the ins and outs of the game while getting my butt handed to me, and would gladly spend a hundred more.
Plus you just can't beat the crazy and diverse cast of fighters. Phoenix Wright, Nemesis (from Resident Evil: Nemesis) and Rocket Raccoon (think a raccoon, now add guns) on the same team? Rock!
Well folks, as always that's five done for today. We're getting pretty close to the end so if you're reading or interested, stay tuned!
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